Chapter 3

I couldn't concentrate on a single class all day because my mind was bombarded by thoughts of Jacob. My senior year is certainly starting out with a bang.

It was lunch time and thankfully Sierra and I have lunch the same period. I walked into the lunch room and grabbed a free table and began setting up the lunch my mom packed for me, waiting for Sierra. I pulled out my phone to check it, I had no missed calls and just one text from Jacob.

Nugget, I really miss you. I'm going to stop by your house today around 3 o'clock, I really hope your there. And if Adam messes with you, call me.

"Whacha doing?" Sierra asked placing her lunch tray on the table across from me and sitting down.

"Debating whether or not I should answer his text, and if I do, what do I say?" I said shaking my phone at her. "Why am I all of a sudden nervous to talk to him! When I was 11 he took me to six flags and I vomited. On him!"

"Ha! I remember that. Thats my favorite story of all time. Please answer him Alex! So you can date and stop talking about it."

"Am I really talking about it that much?"

"I don't remember the last time we talked about anything else, but its ok. Thats what I'm here for. If It was me I know you'd listen without a question."

"Yeah I would," I smiled, "Ok I'm going to answer his text..."

I'll be there...and I miss you too…

"Alright so right after school I'm going to just go home and act completely normal, I don't want him to think anything is up." I said getting up to throw out my garbage and begin walking to my next class.

"Sounds good hon, I'll see you then." She said hugging me and walking away. These next few hours are going to drag.

"So you'll call me as soon as he leaves right?" Sierra asked as we pulled onto our block. As we turned the corner I saw Jacobs car parked in front of my house. "Or I can sit here and watch the whole thing unfold."

"Goodbye Sierra!" I said getting out of the car and walking up to Jacobs. I peered in the window to see if he was in there. He was just sitting there, waiting. Which is weird because he usually waits for me inside.

He looked up and saw me standing there, and immediately jumped out of the car and ran over to me, grabbing me into the tightest hug I've ever received.

"I missed you," he said into my hair, hugging me tighter.

"Uh, Jake, I uh, can't….breathe." I struggled to say through gasps.

"Sorry," he said smirking at me. I never noticed how adorable his smirk was before.

"I missed you too," I said throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him in for another hug. He wrapped his hands around my lower back and held me close to him for what seemed like a lifetime.

"Do you want to go somewhere to talk or something?" he asked, still holding me.

"Yeah, that'd be good. I have uh, something I need to talk to you about." I said nervously. "But first we have to let go of each other."

"Unfortunately," he replied with a laugh.

We eventually let go of each other and got into the car. My heart was beating so fast, I was sure he could hear it from the drivers side of his car. Ok, this is it. I'm going to tell him whats been going on. Whats the worst that can happen? He tells me his feelings aren't mutual and things go back to the way they have been for years. Simple enough.

We pulled into the parking lot of a nature preserve by my house, that I honestly didn't even know existed.

"What is this place?" I asked getting out of the car and admiring the place. It was beautiful. There was a trail that was lined with wildflowers which leads to what seems like a gorgeous field. There was no one around, we were all alone.

"I found this place a couple months back, I've been waiting for a reason to bring you here. I knew you'd love it." he said grabbing my hand and leading me through the trail towards the field.

"Its amazing. We have to come here more often," I smiled up at him.

"I hope we do nug, I hope we do."

We stopped in the middle of the field and sat down facing each other indian style.

"Ok, I have something to tell you. And its huge, but I want you to go first ok?" he began looking at me nervously.

"Ugh Jake, why do I have to go first?" I groaned laying back in the field, staring up at the clouds.

"Because your the lady, ladies always go first." he said looking at me as I sat up, "Hey, whats wrong?"

Apparently I wasn't hiding my nervousness very well.

"Nothing, I'm just nervous about how your going to react to what I have to say. And I know once I get started I'm going to do that babbling thing where you can't get me to shut up."

"That thing is cute," he smiled, moving a lock of hair that escaped out of my clip. "Just tell me."

I sighed, "Okay, here it goes. I know since we met we've basically viewed each other as brother and sister. Cool, fine whatever, always worked for us. But all of a sudden these weird feeling and emotions are surfacing and I'm thinking to myself, 'what the heck! This is Jacob, the guy who has treated me like a sister for years! Why do I want to kiss him?!' and its really confusing and scary cause I know that you might not feel the same way about me and I just can't lose you," I exclaimed, finally gasping for air since I hadn't breathed since I began my ramble.

I was about to continue when I looked up at Jacob, and stopped. He was just staring at me smiling this huge smile and I could be crazy, but his eyes looked teary. I couldn't talk anymore. All I could do was stare at him and his gorgeous light brown eyes, tan skin, and jet black hair.

Without saying a word, he moved himself closer to me, placed his hand under my chin and smiled at me. He then slowly moved his face closer to mine and so gently, placed his lips on mine. My mind was just spinning. I felt like I was in a complete fog.

I'm kissing Jacob right now. Jacob!

He kept slowly kissing me for what seemed like an eternity. When he pulled away he looked right into my eyes, and I was right, his eyes are teary.

"You have no idea how long I've waited for that." He said smiling at me and rubbing my cheek.

"Huh?" I asked more confused then ever.

"Okay, my turn to tell you something now. Its a long story so brace your self nug." he said grabbing my hand and squeezing it tight. "I just have to kiss you one more time first," he smiled and leaned in to kiss me again. This time with more urgency. He grabbed my face between his hands and held it there until he was done.

"Ready?"

"Hmm?" I asked, my eyes still closed, head still spinning from the last kiss.

"You ok?" he laughed at me.

"I'm sure what you have to say is interesting and all but, I vote we put it off so we can just kiss and kiss and then maybe kiss some more." I suggested, leaning in closer and trying to kiss him.

"As tempting as that sounds," he laughed, "I can't wait anymore to tell you this."

I sighed, "Fine, ill be patient. Go on, give it to me."

"Ok, here it goes. Werewolves are much different then humans. You know that, and you know everything there is to know, but one thing. Imprinting, have you ever heard of it? Maybe from the girls in passing," he asked eyeing me curiously.

"No, not at all."

"Good, I want you to hear it from me." he smiled, "Imprinting is amazing. When Sam told me about it when I was 16 I thought it was nuts, and that it would never happen to me. But it did, when I saw you 9 years ago on our beach." he grabbed my hand and lifted it to his mouth to kiss it.

"I'm confused...what is imprinting?"

"It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like...gravity moves, suddenly. It's not the earth holding you here anymore, she does. You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend. When a werewolf imprints, they become unconditionally bound to that person for the rest of their life. Since you were young when I imprinted on you, I was more of an older brother to you. Then once you got older, a best friend. And now that your old enough, its turning romantic. The day I saw you my world changed. I will protect and love you for the rest of our lives."

"Wow, that sounds really intense." I said completely awed by what he told me.

"It is, but its amazing." he smiled at me, "Do you want to go grab something to eat?"

"Yeah sure," I said getting up from the floor. "So does this mean, we're dating?"

He laughed at me, "Yeah nugget, it does."