Chapter 11

I moped about the house for most of the day. I would have spent time with Quil, but he was too busy with some family issues at home.

"Sweetheart?" Mom called, walking into my room. "I want to talk to you."

"Sure, mom." I said, sitting up. I suppose I could count myself lucky to have a relatively happy family life. My dad was Quileute, born and raised on the reservation. My mom, on the other hand, was white. I was an only child, and my parents both loved me. Sure, not to the point that I was pampered like a spoilt brat, but I could barely complain about anything.

"Are you okay? You've been moping around the house all day. Why don't you go spend some time with your friends?"

"They're all busy." I said. It wasn't a lie – I just didn't wanna go through all the Embry and Jake stuff with my mom.

"Well, why don't we do something, then? We could go down to Port Angeles, do a little bit of shopping? You want some any clothes?"

"No thanks, mom." I said. "I appreciate it, but I'm not in the mood. Things aren't… great between me and the guys."

"Okay." Mom said. "Well, I still think you should do something. Go out for a walk?"

"It's raining, mom."

"Right. Sorry. Well, if you want to do something, just tell me, okay?"

"You got it."

Mom looked like she was going to ask more, but I was saved by the doorbell ringing from downstairs. I scrunched my eyes together? Who could it be on a Saturday afternoon? Dad was working overtime on Saturdays, and I didn't know anyone who would call.

"I'll get it." I said, sliding off my bed and going downstairs. I could see through the window that the rain was coming down harder, making a loud pattering noise. I yanked the door open, and my mouth dropped to the floor.

"Hey." Embry said. He was standing on the front porch, dripping wet. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of jeans, and he was giving me a sheepish smile.

"What the- how'd you- did you just walk here? In the pouring rain, are you nuts?" I blurted out.

"Well, I ran, actually." Embry said, looking a little embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "I was hoping we could talk. Can I come in?"

"Are you kidding me?" I asked "Looking like that? My mom would have a heart attack." I said, referring to his half-naked and wet state. My mom had never had a problem with the fact that all my best friends were guys, and I wasn't going to give her a reason to start.

"Look, Cherry, I need to tell you something." Embry said. He looked really nervous. "I want to talk to you, please."

I stared at him for a few seconds while he just stood there. He didn't even seem to be cold even though he was soaked.

"Wait for me in the garage." I said. "I'll meet you there in 2."

Embry nodded, and turned around, heading to the garage. I stepped in, and went back upstairs to mom.

"Who was it, sweetie?" she asked.

"Nobody - probably one of the kids down the street playing a trick." I said. "Um, mom, I'm headed to the grocery store. I wanna bake, and we're out of eggs."

"Okay." Mom said. She looked glad that I was doing something. "Just be careful. It's raining."

"I will." I said, before slipping back downstairs. I quickly ran to the garage without getting too wet, and entered to see Embry waiting for me.

"Hey." He said.

"This better be good." I snapped. "I just lied to my mom for you."

"I'm sorry."

"For making me lie to my mom?"

"No. For everything. Ditching you, yelling at you telling you that I didn't need you…. That was a lie by the way." Embry said. He looked guilty, and upset, and I felt that I had to believe him.

"A lie you didn't have to tell." I said.

"True." Embry said. "But it made things easier. At the time, at least."

"How the hell did that make things easier? Embry, it ruined our friendship! Do you know how many sleepless nights me and Quil spent over you ditching us? I mean, you, of all people? I would have believed it if Jacob had done it, which he has, but you? You've always been the one that I looked up to." I snapped.

"I'm sorry." Embry said.

"Sorry doesn't cut it." I snapped back.

There was a few seconds of silence.

"What do I have to do?" Embry asked. "To get you to forgive me."

"I don't know." I snapped. "Why do you want my forgiveness anyway? And where's Jake? Shouldn't he be here with you?"

"I'm the one here apologizing. Not Jake. I want to know what I have to do to get you to forgive me." Embry said.

"So Jake doesn't even care?" I asked, feeling hurt.

"Look, why do you have to bring Jake into this?" Embry yelled. "This is about me and you, can you just forget about him for a freaking second?"

I took a step back at Embry's outburst.

"I'm sorry." Embry said instantly. "I'm so sorry, Cherry, I didn't mean that."

"Of course you didn't." I said, my voice shaking. What was wrong with him?

"Cherry, please…. I'm so sorry."

"What happened to you?" I asked. "Tell me what happened, Cherry."

"I-I can't do that."

"You wanted my forgiveness. And I want to know what happened to you. What did they say to you, what have they got you taking?" I demanded.

"It's not like that. It's not like that at all; they're good guys, Cher."

"Just tell me.'

"You wouldn't believe me." Embry said, averting his eyes. He looked ashamed.

"Embry." I said, taking a step closer to him. "I've been your best friend since forever. If I don't believe you, who will? I won't get mad, Embry, I promise. I just need to know what happened."

Embry stared at him feet for a few seconds before looking up.

"Do you remember the Quileute legends?" Embry asked. "The ones Billy used to tell us?"

"Kind of." I replied. I was burning to ask what the hell legends had to do with it, but I was going to wait. I wanted Embry to explain this himself.

"They're true, Cherry. And I'm a part of them. I'm a shape-shifter, but… well; most of the world might consider us werewolves."

'What?"

"I'm a werewolf, Cherry."

"I don't think I heard you right."

"You did. I can turn into a wolf."

I took a step back form him, tears forming in my eyes.

'So that's it?" I demanded. "This was all a joke?"

"No, Cherry, I'm-" Embry tried to explain, taking a step closer to me. I flinched away from him in disgust, before taking another step back.

"You're not even sorry, you bastard! You think you can come to my house and make me look like an idiot? I believed you!" I yelled. Embry's face crumpled as though he was in pain.

"Cherry, I'm telling the truth."

"I bet this was all a dare." I snapped. The tears were flowing freely down my face now. "Who dared you, huh? Was it Paul? Think it would be funny to play some kind of a perverted trick on your stupid ex-best friend?"

"Cherry, please, don't do this, I have to-"

"Leave me alone. Get the hell out of my life Embry, and don't you dare think you can come here and say crap to me, because I won't take it."

And I ran out of my garage, straight to Quil's house, in the pouring rain. I turned back at the end of the street, to see Embry watching me from my driveway.