Chapter 26

I was feeling light-headed all week. Embry never mentioned the kiss, and I didn't mention it to him either. But he started doing little things like holding my hand whenever we were together, and putting his arm around me. I knew that we would have to figure out our relationship pretty soon, but for now I was happy. He was all I wanted, and I was completely blind to everything else.

Meanwhile, I'd found out from the pack that Bella was pregnant. Don't ask me how that happened, I have no clue. Embry didn't know a lot either, but everyone seemed surprised, so I was forced to assume that it wasn't normal for vampires to have kids. My dislike for her stopped me from asking anyone for details. I convinced myself that it made no difference to me. So what if the bloodsuckers were having spawn? It was none of my business.

Quil also got out of hospital on Thursday. It was pretty awesome to have him back, and it was really adorable how Claire practically leaped into his arms when she saw him. Of course, he keeled over from pain afterwards, and it took a while for us to convince Claire that she couldn't hug Quil for a couple of days, but it turned out okay in the end.

"Can we go home now?" I pleaded Kim. She was still admiring all the dresses in the sales rack, even though we'd both picked out the ones we wanted.

"Isn't this one nice?" She asked, fingering a long midnight blue dress that seemed a little too sparkly for my taste. "I think it looks beautiful."

"I thought you already decided on the dark purple?"

"I did."

"So why do we have to look at more? Let's go home."

"Oh, stop being such a sour-puss!" she said. "I can't believe you didn't even tell Embry to match with your dress!"

"I don't really care if he matches with me, or not." I said simply. "But I do want to get some sleep tonight. Can we go?"

"Fine."

We paid for our clothes, and walked through the mall. Kim couldn't seem to go on without admiring each and every dress or pair of shoes in the store windows. We were outside a jewelers store when Kim stopped again.

"Are we stopping again?" I whined, but Kim put her finger to her lips. I looked at her curiously, and she pointed towards the shop.

We both silently walked closer, and peeked in through the glass door. There were two tall guys standing at the counter, and I started when I realized that they were Jared and Paul.

"What are they doing here?" I asked Kim. "In a jewellery store?"

Kim shrugged, and put her finger to her lips again, as she walked into the store silently. I followed her, and we both carefully stood in a corner, with our backs to them.

"No, that one's just weird." Jared's voice said. "It's too…. Big. I want something more classic."

"Dude, just pick one out already." Paul said, sounding exasperated. "We were supposed to meet Quil on the first floor ten minutes ago."

"It's for Kim, it needs to be perfect." Jared said. "And don't worry about Quil. I'm sure he's in some toy store, shopping for Claire."

"Yeah, well, that's better than Jacob. He's probably buying diapers." Paul said, and they both laughed. I listened silently, not getting the joke.

"Fine, I guess I'll take this one." Jared said, after a few moments of silence. "Think she'll like it?"

"Dude, she'd love you if you bought her a rusty iron chain." Paul said. "Come on. Just pay for it."

Kim and I stayed silent as they paid, and left the store.

"Oh my god!" Kim squealed, once they were gone. "He's actually buying something for me? What do you think it was? A bracelet?"

"Maybe." I said, smiling. "But what was all that about Jacob buying diapers?"

"I don't know." Kim said absently, too preoccupied with Jared buying her something. "Do you think I can go to the counter and ask what he bought? Would they tell me?"

"They might. But wouldn't you rather be surprised?" I asked.

"I guess…. Wow, this is so cool!"

-x - x- x-x

"Oh my god, you look wonderful, sweetie!" Mom said, smiling as I came downstairs in the dress. It was a deep maroon, with spaghetti straps and ending at my knees. For once, I actually felt good. I wanted to look awesome for Embry, and I felt like I had managed it.

"Thanks, mom." I said, with a smile. "Think Embry will like it?"

"I'm sure he'll love it." She said. She reached out and put one of my curls on my shoulder. There was a loud knock at the door, and mom smiled even wider.

"Ooh, you should go upstairs! I'll open the door, and you can make a grand entrance!"

"No!" I cried, feeling embarrassed. "It's just Embry, mom. I'll get it."

I pulled open the door and saw Embry, standing there in a formal shirt and a tie. His hair was a little messy, and he ran his hand through it nervously when he saw me.

"Hey." He said. "Wow, you look great."

"Thanks." I smiled. "You look pretty good yourself."

He smiled back, and shrugged.

"So, ready to go?" he asked, and I nodded, stepping outside. I called a good bye to my mom, and then shut the front door behind me.

We walked to the car in silence, and I couldn't help but feel that Embry was acting really tense as we drove to the school. We didn't say much, though, and I ignored it.

"Wow, this place is packed." I said, as we entered the cafeteria. There was barely any space for us to move, and I felt a little claustrophobic.

"Yeah, I know." He said. "I see Kim, Jared and Paul. Want to go there?"

"Sure." I agreed, and I followed him to the corner where the three of them were standing.

"Oh, hey guys!" Kim greeted us with a grin. "You took your time."

"Yeah." I said, with a shrug. "This place is really crowded."

"I know." Jared said, looking hopeful. "Maybe we could just leave….?"

Kim glared at him.

"Just a suggestion…." He said simply, trailing off. "I'll go get some drinks. Anyone coming?"

Paul and Embry went with him, leaving me and Kim.

"Jared gave me the necklace!" she said excitedly, pointing at it. I saw a thin silver chain around her neck, with a small pendant in the shape of a swan. "I think it's beautiful."

"Wow, it is!" I agreed, smiling. "That's really awesome, Kim. Your boyfriend has taste."

"Yeah." She said, looking a little dreamy. "God, I am so lucky to have him! How did Embry react when he saw you in that dress?"

"I think he liked it." I replied, but stopped abruptly as Paul, Embry and Jared came back with drinks in their hands. Embry handed me one, but I couldn't help but notice that his eyes weren't meeting mine.

"Come on, let's dance!" Kim insisted, grabbing Jared's hand, as they both went to the dance floor. Paul muttered something about finding Rachel and left in another direction, leaving me and Embry alone.

"So…" he began, a little awkwardly. "Do you, um, do you want to dance…"

"No way. I think I'd just embarrass myself in front of half the school." I muttered, glancing up to see a relieved Embry.

"Oh, thank god. I was terrified that you would say yes." He admitted with a grin, and I smiled back at him.

"So we're at a dance…" I began slowly. "And neither of us can dance. You know, I don't think that this was one of my best ideas. I should have just asked you to the movies or something."

"Why don't we go outside?" he suggested. "We can take a walk, at least we'll be able to breathe."

I agreed silently, and we both left the cafeteria, Embry holding my hand tightly. It was cold outside, and I found myself snuggling closer to Embry for a little warmth.

"Do you want my jacket?" he asked me softly.

"No. Just you." I replied, looking up at him. I expected him to smile the way he usually did when either of us said anything flirtatious, but instead he stiffened.

"Is something wrong?" I asked him, worried, but he shook his head, and put an arm around my shoulders, pulling me a little closer to him.

"Of course not." He replied. "Cherry, you… you know I'm here for you, right? No matter what, you'll always have me. I want you to know that."

I just stared at him. Why was he saying this? It made me worry even more than before, he was acting as though something was wrong. I hated seeing him upset.

"Embry, are you trying to tell me something?" I asked softly.

"No, I… Look, you asked me to the dance, I just want you to have a good time, okay? This can wait. Trust me." He assured me softly, but I wasn't convinced.

"Embry, I don't give a shit about the dance." I told him firmly. "It was just an excuse to ask you out. If there's something going on, I want you to tell me."

I watched silently as Embry's face fell. He looked almost broken, and my heart skipped a beat. What could possibly have upset him so much?

He turned to face me, dropping my hand, and gently cupping my cheek instead. His eyes stared into mine, and I felt the desperate need to pull him even closer, and hold him tightly.

"Not tonight." He muttered. "I just want one more night with you."

"Embry, we have the rest of our lives." I told him, but my voice was shaking. Did we? What wasn't he telling me? What could possibly be so horrible?

"Not after I tell you. Everything's going to change." He muttered, more to himself than me. "I can't stand to see you upset, Cherry, it tears me apart, I wish there was something I could do, I just…"

"You're making it sound like you have some kind of a terminal illness or something." I muttered angrily. "And you're scaring me. What is it? Did you… I don't know, imprint on someone else or something?"

He laughed humorlessly.

"If only." He mumbled. "That's not possible. You're the only one for me."

"So what is it?"

"Dance with me."

"What?"

"Dance with me." He repeated softly. "Please."

What the hell was wrong with him?

"Didn't we go through this already?" I asked. "I told you, I don't want to embarrass myself."

"In front of everyone else. There's only you and me out here."

He stepped closer to me, his hands resting gently on my waist. I felt butterflies go through my stomach as I put my hands on his shoulders and he pulled me even closer, his forehead resting against mine as we looked into each other's eyes.

Oh god, I'm going to melt right now.

"You look beautiful." He told me softly, as we gently swayed to the faint music that we could hear coming from the cafeteria. I liked it better this way. I could hear his soft breathing, and his heartbeat. "You always do, but…"

"What are you waiting for?" I asked him.

"Huh?"

"Well, let's face it Embry." I murmured softly. "I was the one who kissed you on your birthday. And I asked you to the dance tonight. It seems to me like it's your turn to make the first move."

I hardly think he needed more encouragement than that. He pulled me to him so fast that we almost banged into each other, and before I knew it, his warm lips were on mine, his hands almost scorching my cheeks as he cupped them tightly.

I think I'm in heaven.

I don't think it lasted too long, but it was a hundred times better than the first time, when I'd just pecked him on the lips. I was practically begging for more when he pulled away, but I smiled widely at him.

He didn't return the smile.

He looked horrified, almost ashamed, and for a few seconds I could almost feel my heart breaking. Why did he look like that? Had I done something wrong?

"I-I can't." he muttered, stepping away from me. In an instant, his warmth was gone, and I found myself almost shivering from the cold. "It's too hard, Cherry, I…"

"You what?" I asked him, my voice icy. I just couldn't help but feel pissed off.

He turned to look at me, his eyes soft, and upset.

"Bella delivered her… her baby yesterday."

"What?" I demanded. "Embry, what the hell is wrong with you, what does this have to do with-"

"Just listen to me, please." He begged, grabbing my hand. I sighed, and looked at him.

"Fine."

"She had the kid, it's some sort of… I don't know, some weird half-breed, I guess." He told me. "We're not entirely sure what it does, but the thing grows freakishly fast, and…"

"And?" I demanded. I was still waiting to find out how this was even slightly relevant.

"Jake imprinted on it."

I stared at him.

"Are you kidding me?" I burst out, in shock.

"Cherry, I wish it didn't have to happen this way, honestly." Embry began, speaking really fast. "I know you're upset, but I'm here for you, I always will be, and…"

Before I knew it, he'd thrown his arms around me, and I was being enveloped in a bear hug.

"Embry…" I began awkwardly, slowly prying his arms from around me. "I don't get it. Why the hell are you hugging me?"

Embry looked torn.

"I… I'm sorry, I just thought you'd need a hug because you'd be upset, and…"

"Why would I be…"I began, but then I trailed off.

It was all starting to sink in now.

"You think I like Jake." I said coldly, and Embry just stared at me.

"Well, yeah, of course you-"

A shark smack echoed through the silent night, as I slapped him hard on the face.

And hell, it hurt. My hand was stinging in pain when I pulled it away from his face, but I couldn't care less. The anger that was bubbling up in my throat seemed more important right now.

"Oh my god, are you okay?' Embry demanded, reaching out to look at my injured hand. The fact that I'd just slapped him hadn't seemed to register at all in his head. I flinched away from him.

"You… you idiot!" I hissed furiously. "How could you think that? How could you think that Jake imprinting on someone would upset me? I mean, damn, yeah, I wish he hadn't done it on Bella's spawn, but I don't like him!"

"I just… you never told me that you were over him, so I guess I just thought…"

"I didn't need to tell you that I was over him!" I cried. "What do you think I've been doing for the past week? I kissed you, I asked you out, does this sound like a girl who likes someone else?"

Embry looked shocked, his mouth dropping open slightly.

"No, I know that, I just thought that-"

"I know what you thought, you don't need to tell me! You thought I was using you the way Bella used Jake! You thought you were a goddamn rebound!"

My voice cracked at the end, and I found myself almost crying.

"Cherry, I'm so sorry." Embry whispered, taking a step closer to me. I flinched away from him again, as the tears started to spill over my cheeks. "I'm so sorry, I just thought… I thought that it was too good to be true. I thought that the kiss, everything, it couldn't be real…. I mean, how could it be?"

"It was real." I choked out. "It was real because I haven't thought about Jake that way in a long time, now. I love you."

And I turned away and ran, tripping over my heels and almost stumbling over the grass, but I didn't care.

Because Embry hadn't followed me.

A/N – Well, I've done it! Personally, I don't think I really like this chapter so much, but it had to be done. I couldn't just end the story, and I fully intend to keep writing it for as long as I keep getting those amazing reviews! I swear, the only reason I forced myself to sit down and finish this chapter was because I read through the reviews, and I felt like I was letting you guys down somehow.