I added more to the movie scene and some more Embry and Quil because I'm watching New Moon and these parts are too funny! :D
I like this prom scene so I'm keeping it. Perhaps more of the story as well and I'll cut out parts I didn't like.
My dad didn't sleep that night. By morning he'd gone downstairs and was sitting on the dining table with his head down. Renee had called several times. In her final call to my dad, she said Bella was in the hospital, something about falling down stairs, and had made a request for us to come. Edward booked the flight for us, to make up for the whole thing he said. My dad was so happy that Bella wanted to see him, he didn't care and even let Paul come along.
Dad was overjoyed when Bella came home with us. He took a couple days off work, attempted cooking, and tried to clean the whole house. This meant a lot of work for me, because he wouldn't let Bella get out of bed, and I had to follow him around fixing everything. He forgot a lot of ingredients while cooking, forgot to tender up the meat, would have left it all to burn if I hadn't been watching, and walked all over the floor right after mopping.
It's the thought that counts though.
At the same time, Edward and I have been starting to plan diabolical things together. Alone we were good, together we were an unbeatable force. Edward thought things out to the very detail, and I was ballsy enough to go through with things. We both shared a wild imagination.
With all these things going on, I wasn't paying much attention to Paul. He continued coming over daily though. He would sit and watch baseball with my dad and Bella, while Edward and I took care of everything. Dad is protective of Bella and I but seemed to realize that we'd be with these guys whether he liked it or not. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, was probably what he was thinking. He spent time bonding over manly things with the two guys, like sports, cars, action movies, and whatnot. When I told Paul to take it easy on the food, he said we had too many left overs anyways and I should 'let Paul have at it'.
We have a microwave but don't use it. Dad, Bella, and I worry about the radiation and its effects on the body. We also can't stand the way food comes out scorching hot and burns you're tongue, with parts of food that are still cold, when microwaved. Most leftovers went bad at our house. But with Paul, we no longer had left overs and our dozens of Tupperware containers collected dust in our pantry.
Paul and Edward 'went home' at 8pm every night when my dad would kick them out. He would not tolerate co-ed sleepovers in his house. They drove away, parked in the nearby woods and came back through the window every time. Sometimes, Edward and I's planning went on into the late hours of the night. Paul was never interested, especially with Edward involved and always fell asleep on my bed. On nights when I was too tired from school and doing chores at home, I hit the hay as soon as I entered the room. Paul was always there but it was hard to bond when I was dead asleep. This caused us to argue often.
On a happier note, Edward and I's plan was to make Bella go to the prom. We figured a surprise attack was the best way to go. Although we're juniors, I used my connections through that Asian guy to get us in. I'd like to add that he loved the fortune cookies and origami kit I'd given him. I watched him open them from afar. He even offered to let Cam and Nikki in, but they already had dates from the senior year.
Bella had refused to go when Edward had first asked her, as expected. However, we were able to get her into a car wearing a hyacinth blue dress without her realizing what was going on. I could've sworn we'd need the pink leopard print fluffy handcuffs I'd bought. I brought duct tape too, that Edward didn't know about. We'd even gotten her to put a stiletto on, just one because Carlisle might've killed us if we attempted to remove the cast and make her wear the other one. Honestly, I was a little upset about the whole stiletto thing. I mean, what was Alice thinking, putting Bella in heels. She could barely walk safely in socks. Something we have in common. Well, I handle socks a little better but when it came to heels, we were just about the same level. I was close to leveling up though, with all the practice I'd been doing.
FLASHBACK
"Gabz?" Bella rubbed her eyes as if she thought she were seeing things and then proceeded to raise an eyebrow at me, "Why are you mopping in stilettos?"
Back to Bella's dress, it was softly frilly, apparently meant to be worn very low and off the shoulders, with long, draping sleeves that gathered at the wrists. The sheer bodice was girdled by another, paled-flowered, hyacinth fabric, that pleated together to form a thin ruffle down the left side. The flowered material was long in the back, but open in the front over several fitted layers of soft hyacinth ruffles, lightening in shade as they reached the tea-length bottom hem. (From Twilight Outtake, Extended Prom Remix).
Mine was a bit more daring. It was a white tube-top with a triangular sweetheart neckline dress. Its bodice was fitted and made of thick white fabric strings in groups of about five or six crossing over one another in different diagonal directions. There were silver beads in two-inch diagonal lines, two on the top left and right and two near the smallest part of the waistline. There was a pentagon-shaped opening in the middle, and thick strings of white fabric with silver beads on the end in the center, somewhat covering the exposed skin. Beginning from the hip level, there were layers of a sheer see-though glittery fabric on top of a thin solid white one that covered the legs. A slit on the right side up to the top of the thigh let the wearer's right leg be seen. The matching heels were ivory and had thin horizontal straps starting from mid-calf all the way to the close toed tip.
Alice had done Bella's makeup while Rosalie took care of her hair and mine. I did my own make-up, something I'd managed to pick up in dance class. I emphasized my eyes with black eyeliner, mascara, and gold and silver eyeshadow. I put some rosy blush and deep red lipstick to complete my look.
Bella was angry when she realized where we were taking her. She protested that she'd break another leg but we eventually convinced her, mentioning that Rosalie, Alice, and I would all be attending. We met Paul at the school. He hadn't come so we could convince Bella that it was just an extremely formal fancy dinner for us girls we'd gotten all dressed up for. We guilt-tripped Bella into having a good time at the prom when she'd sat in the corner pouting the first five minutes.
My night was my favorite so far. That is until the very end. But in the beginning, I was able to keep all paranoid thoughts shut out for just one night. I'd seen Paul for the first time in a tux. It was a simple black one with a white shirt inside and dark silver tie but the look really worked on him. I you had told me before he'd imprinted, that Paul Lahote look good in a tux, I'd shower you in saliva from laughing so hard.
The best part was the look on his face when he'd first seen me. He'd mumbled that I looked beautiful but was never to wear anything like it again where anyone else could see, right in my ear so no one else would hear.
"You'll never see me in a tux again, I swear." Paul seemed a bit uncomfortable with everything. I think he forced himself to come just to make me happy and boy, did it work. I was possibly the happiest girl in the world at that moment. We had some of the drinks the seniors had somehow gotten in and danced. Paul was a good dancer, his body moved smoothly with the music. Who'd of guessed. I asked him where he learned but he refused to answer. I didn't ask more than once, no matter how much I was dying to know, because he got quiet and looked sad the first time I asked. It was only for a second and then he started twirling me around but it was enough to stop me from asking again. I hated seeing him sad.
Jacob came to see Bella and tell her to break up with Edward. Apparently, he was paid $20 and auto parts by Billy. I'd forgotten about him for a while so I couldn't be angry when he didn't pay much attention to me at first. I asked him to dance after he was done talking to Bella and he warmed up to me.
"I knew you couldn't just give me the cold shoulder and leave." I said triumphantly before he twirled me around.
"Yeah, your face is just too pitiful to stay mad at pipsqueak." Again, with the name-calling. "How's things with your anger-management problem boyfriend?" We both glanced at Paul, who didn't look happy about me with Jacob but he didn't do anything.
"Judging by the fact that he's not killing me for dancing with you, I'd say things are going good." The old Paul would've been very angry at me being so close to another guy, even Jacob. He loved me enough to control his anger and jealousy issues, apparently.
That is, until Chris asked me to dance. He'd come with Nikki, much to my surprise. It stung a little, not because I had strong feelings for Chris, but because Nikki would do something like that without even asking how I felt. I would've said it was fine but like I said, it's the thought that counts. Paul was dancing with Cameron, who was wearing her serious face she had when she was threatening someone. She'd find a way to warn him no matter what I did, so I figured a fun night like this would be the best time.
"Nikki and I are just friends. But I'm not going to try and steal you from your boyfriend. Just give me one last dance like we used to so I can have one last good memory this year. And for closure." Chris's face was more pitiful than mine. I'm a softie too so I gave in. I made sure to keep my distance while we danced but Chris went against his word at the last minute. I thought he was just leading me into a backbend. I love backbends. I closed my eyes and let my head hang back and my back stretch. Next thing I knew I felt lips on mine. I knew immediately it wasn't Paul just by the way it felt. They weren't as warm and it just felt wrong. Before I could react, Paul was there throwing Chris to the ground.
"We need to talk." He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me. We went in to a girl's bathroom on the other side of the school.
Was he going to kill me now?
He surprised me by kissing me roughly as soon as he shut the door, locking it behind him. Next, he began to lick all over my lips. I'd thought he didn't like my lipstick or something. When he stopped, I didn't have any lipstick left. Next, he spit into the sink. It was a lot and I would've been disgusted if it was anyone else but Paul.
"Now that I got some of his stink off you, what the fuck were you doing?" he was shaking and by the strained look on his face, he was putting a lot of effort into calming down and not changing into a wolf.
"I-I," I'm not a girl who stutters but I was still processing what had happened," He said it was just a dance. The last one, just for closure. It didn't mean anything to me. I was honestly hoping that him and Nikki were together. I'm not attracted to him at all and you know that."
"I don't know if I do." He breathed out in annoyance.
"Baby, I love you. Just you." His face softened a bit at the words, it was the first time I'd said I loved him out loud, "He kissed me out of nowhere. I would've slapped him if you hadn't gotten there so fast."
"Imma kill him." That would draw unwanted attention to the pack, for sure. It'd also be doing the opposite of what shape-shifter are meant to do which is protect the people.
"Baby, just let it go. The whole pack could get exposed if you did that. You might phase just by seeing him." I took his hand. He let me but he wouldn't look at me, "Let's just go home. I'm tired anyway. Jake could give us a ride to your place and we could get your car."
"You wait here, Jake and I will go." I didn't understand why. He never took me over to their house. I wonder if he'd brought Rachel over. Why not me? Was I not as important to him as he said? Even so, I nodded and didn't fight as he led me to the gym door. "I'll call Edward and Bella so you have someone with you." He went inside and shut the door behind him. He probably didn't want me to see Chris again.
He came out with Edward, Bella and Jacob. Jake said goodbye before running after Paul who'd walked past me as if I were invisible.
"Chris only came with Nikki to get you jealous. Nikki knows though and agrees you should be with him instead of Paul." Edward said after the sound of Jacob's big bike was long gone. He understood not to mention it in front of Paul. "Paul was imagining how he'd kill him, since you two left the gym. He had trouble controlling his temper." He laughed lightly. I forced a smile back even though Edward could probably tell I was uncomfortable with everything that had just happened. At least Paul hadn't been angry with me. I shuddered, thinking of Emily's scar.
That night, I did something I never thought I'd do. Paul and I had drank more alcohol in my room and we were pretty drunk so I think that's why. At least I was drunk. He didn't seem like it, now that I think about it. Maybe it's a wolf thing. I asked him to make love to me that night. We'd been making out and he'd even ripped my dress off. Said it smelled like Chris. I was a little sad, it'd been a gift from the Cullens and I'd planned to use it again as a wedding dress or something. Then again, Paul said he'd never wear a tux again. So maybe he didn't want to get married. That or he wanted to do something untraditional like a beach wedding in bathing suits.
If that was the case, I was all for it.
After ripping my dress, his eyes widened and he pushed me off him, probably harder than he meant to cause he pushed me right off the bed. He picked me up and put me back on the bed before quickly leaving via my window.
It might've been the Chris thing, so I let him go, falling asleep shortly after.
I woke up with a massive head ache the next day.
PAUL'S POV
Gabby asked me to make love to her.
I couldn't do it.
I would've been her first, which is great I guess. Most guys would be elated and I was, in a way.
But I was Rachel's first too.
Rachel and I texted sometimes. She said the reason she couldn't let me go was because I was her first. I felt guilty about it. She made sure of it. When she'd found out about me imprinting, the first thing she said is that she wouldn't find a guy who would love her 100% because I'd taken away a part of her that I couldn't give back. I almost didn't leave her. Until I realized she deserves better than a guy who was so obsessively in love with another girl. I wouldn't love her 100% either, I would always love Gabby more.
I do love Gabby, more with each day. However, I've known Rachel longer and whenever I have a problem, I text her. I don't usually tell Gabby my problems. I feel like I'd destroy her naïve happiness.
I also couldn't take away her virginity. I didn't know if we'd last forever.
Not that I don't want that, it's definitely what I want most in life but someday, Gabby might not want me. Just like my mom didn't want my dad. They'd been in love once, they had to have been if they had me and my sister. In the end, she couldn't bear with him not even for her two young children.
If Gabby would someday decide that she didn't want me, I didn't want the lucky guy she ended up with to not love her 100% because I'd taken a piece of her. I don't think I could stand around and watch her with some other guy. I'd be too jealous. I didn't even like other guys looking at her.
I almost did what she said after ripping off her dress. The way she was sitting on top of me, in just a pair of nude boy short panties, it took everything I had to get out and leave. I swear, I had no idea that the dress had a built-in bra and she'd decided not to wear one. I'd have to scold her for that, it was way too easy to access.
I wish I could say I had good control and that's why I was able to stop myself from doing anything with her. I could even joke about it around her and maintain control.
It was because I'd been doing it with other women. There was Rachel when she came for a visit. She knew all about Gabby and said she'd wait for me. I still didn't want to do anything with her since I still felt guilty about taking her virginity but she had a good point. I'd already taken it. What was the difference if I did it again? She said she needed a good fuck that only I could give anyway.
With that, I was convinced.
She even said she still loved me and would wait for when Gabby would leave me. I ignored what she said.
Instead of cuddling like we used to right after, I left immediately after I'd quickly gotten dressed.
I felt guilty the first time. I couldn't even help Gabby and Edward with their planning for prom, I was so guilty. But as I continued to rationalize my actions, it became easier.
Another girl was Alyssa. Don't know her last name, don't really care. She'd been after me for a while and had a big crush on me back when I'd first started dating Rachel. She was a wild child, despite the fact that her dad was some well-known politician in Forks. She'd first seen me at this very bar, and offered herself to me every time I'd come here. I'd refused because of the whole virgin thing. She disappeared for a while and when she came back she was different. Her whole demeanor had changed. I found out because she'd been fooling around with her boyfriend. But she still wanted me. So, I gave it to her.
And I did several times, because Rachel was away and I'm a guy who has needs.
I'd been coming since Rachel and I broke up. It was different because it was only to get out the horny feeling I'd been getting because of Gabby. Just so I could control myself around her.
Tonight, I needed it more than ever.
GABZ POV
It was finally summer time. Time to enjoy. Paul and I spent most of our time at the Rez, exploring the land, spending time with pack, and of course going to the beach. It was a blast. Dad came along when he wasn't busy and sat with Billy and Harry, eating fish fry and drinking beer on the beach.
Teenagers like me played volleyball or football, buried each other in the sand, had relay races and all kinds of things. Others, not including me, went surfing and cliff diving. Much to my displeasure, Rachel stuck around. She went surfing and cliff-diving. Paul wouldn't let me try when my competitive side took over my phobia of drowning.
As much as he wanted to join them, he stuck by my side to make me feel better. Rachel watched us closely. Something about the way she smiled at me made me suspicious. I couldn't do or say anything because Billy and Jacob were around. I didn't want to ruin everyone's summer either.
Bella usually went to the Cullen's. Dad even let her sleep at their place since she was 18. He let me sleep on the Rez once. Jacob and Billy were there along with Samuel, Emily, Jared, Paul, Embry, Quil, Rachel, Leah, Seth, and the elders too. Most of the parents were there except my dad and Paul's dad. Paul's sister didn't come either. I'd never met her or Paul's dad. I don't know why and I didn't ask, because family is a personal thing. I wondered if he'd ever introduced Rachel to them. The thought made me shake in anger a little but Paul held me and I calmed down. When I noticed Rachel watching with a stern face, I gave Paul a few kisses on the face.
"I thought I told you not to wear this bathing suit." He said in a low voice, getting a towel from beside him and wrapping it around me. I had on a skimpy black bikini, which covered all the necessary parts but was still showy. I had on a see-through black swim cover that masked my uneven tan so I felt pretty confident in it.
Ever since that night at prom, I'd been trying to tempt my boyfriend. It seemed to work but he'd leave as soon as our making out got intense. It hurt my ego a little but I was mostly frustrated. I was almost 18 and my hormones had been on fire lately especially moments like now, when Paul was being more possessive than usual and giving me dark looks as his eyes looked at me from head to toe. It was a weekday so Charlie was at work and it was just us teenagers today.
"Want to come and help me take it off?" I suggested, batting my eyes at him. Paul shook his head but I could feel something hard pressing against my back like I usually did whenever we made out or I teased him. I was surprised at the control he had; it wasn't like him.
Edward and I's next devious plan involved Bella's Birthday Bash at the beginning of the school year. It would be at Edward's house. She'd wear a beautiful dress. Lots of gifts. Edward wanted it to be perfect. However, we knew Bella would be able to get angry at us. So, we blamed the whole dress idea on Alice, who designed it. We blamed the scrapbook on Renee because she was too far to feel Bella's wrath. The matching camera, from Charlie, who would in turn, put the blame on Renee. He didn't wrap the digital camera, just to be safe.
Bella apparently had a dream about being an old lady on her birthday so she was in a bad mood all day.
Wait, pause guys. I forgot to include this part in chapter 5. I remembered because I just re-watched New Moon. Gabz HAD to be in this scene.
I had English with Bella and Edward but I really wished I didn't as I walked behind them. They were arguing because we all got to give Bella gifts for her birthday, including Jacob. Bella reminded him that she only wanted his loved... and to become a vampire, of course. Totally normal. We saw him in the parking lot in the morning, and he'd given Bella the dream catcher we'd spent two hours looking for.
"Jacob is just a friend. Something you're not too familiar with." Bella started. It seemed ickle Edward was jealous of my best friend. "It's some you don't want to kiss... or kill, but enjoy their company anyways."
"Like me!" I butted in.
"Not all the time." Edward commented.
"I hope you mean kill." I wrinkled my face in disgust.
"Of, course I do." Edward's expression mirrored mine. Ah, it was nice that we could banter about killing one another so civilly.
"Well, the feeling is mutual." I said snottily.
"Well, your 'friend'," Edward ignored me and went back to focusing on Jacob, "spent two hours trying to find the perfect dream catcher."
"If you don't like his thoughts don't read them." Edward glanced back at me, having seen the image in my head. I looked away and whistled innocently. Edward didn't bother dragging me into the conversation.
"It's hard not to. I just want to protect you..." when he saw Alice coming towards us, he added "From everything but my sister.". He rolled his eyes as Alice, yet another person but him got to give Bella a gift. I looked to Jasper, standing not ten feet away, controlling Bella's mood to ensure she'd say yes to the party and dress as I had so diabolically planned.
"I am so brilliant." I muttered when Bella agreed.
"Define ''brilliant'." Edward said playfully. I narrowed my eyes at him, feigning offense.
"How about, getting Bella a gift even though she said not to, for a start?" I teased and he gave up. Bella did catch on to Jasper but it was too late, she'd already agreed. I skipped along behind them on the rest of the way to English.
We were watching Romeo and Juliet. I know it's supposed to be romantic but I thought it was stupid. It was hard to pay attention either way with Edward and Bella quietly discussing suicide and how humans die so easily. Way to set the mood Edward.
He mentioned something about Romeo killing the love of his life out of sheer stupidity. I had a hunch he was subtlety trying to convince Bella she didn't need to become immortal. I was glad Paul wasn't in our class. He might actually agree with Edward for once and go on about being scared to hurt me because he loses his temper too easily and turns into a giant wolf.
Eventually the teacher noticed them, pausing the movie and asking Edward to repeat part of Romeo's lines. I snorted but of course Edward had the entire thing memorized; hypocrite. Bella watched him intently, probably turned on.
"Gross." I mumbled.
On the way home, Edward hinted at Emmett's gift by insulting the truck's radio. Low blow, buddy. I was going to say a witty comeback but Bella beat me to it.
"You want a nice stereo? Drive your own car." Edward pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. But me, I guffawed loudly. Paul, who had been stoic the entire time, almost smirked while covering my mouth with his large hand. Rude. The two continued with their argue/flirting the rest of the ride so I tuned them out.
"Did you watch the movie in English, today?" Paul asked and I groaned, not wanting to get back into the whole 'I might fuck up and kill you by accident argument.'
"Yeah. Hate that movie. Titanic is way better. And no, not just because the character's name is my middle name." I clarified before he could put in any snide remarks.
"Can't stand that Jack character." He said. I had perfected the raising an eyebrow to form a questioning face thing down, so I used it. "What? He's too careless and irresponsible. They make him so lucky though. But that's not real life. It's a bad message to the public." I didn't realize Paul could be so… deep. "He's a liar, too, if he says he didn't sleep with the girls he drew.". That caught me by surprise.
"Would you?" I asked. I kept my face straight to let him know I wasn't kidding around. Seriously, would he?
"I don't draw." He replied, his face stoic. What was that supposed to mean? Bella and Edward had gotten quiet and were focused on the road ahead of us.
"Just sing?" I joked. Well, so much for being serious. He smacked my head playfully. I'd recently discovered Paul's hidden talent. He had a beautiful voice but he refused to sing. We'd only caught him singing to himself as he worked outside in the yard. In Spanish. It turns out his mom had come from a tribe from down south, and not only spoke her tribe's language but spoke Spanish. She'd left when Paul was 8 and that's as much as he would tell me about her.
I tried to get Paul to come with me to Bella's party at the Cullens but my puppy face just wouldn't work today. He was upset about me finding out he could sing. He was really embarrassed about it. If I had a voice like that, I wouldn't be but Paul has a self-esteem issue when it comes to his singing. He's a really weird guy. Sometimes he's full of himself, but with certain things, like the singing and my love for him, he's full of doubt.
"Paul, get up, let's go!" I was dressed and ready for Bella's Birthday Bash at the Cullen's and he was sitting on the couch watching baseball with my dad.
"Baby, I'm not much of a party type. Besides, the Mariners are my team! Jacob's on his way here to come watch." he smiled at me, daring me to say I needed him because I would be in a house full of vampires. Just because he knew I couldn't say it in front of Charlie. I rolled my eyes and went back upstairs to go tell Bella.
So, I didn't get to see the wonderful decorations I'd picked up. The fabulous cake I'd baked. No opening presents wrapped in silver paper that I'd picked out. Nope, here I was, still in my coral pink dress, grey cardigan, black leggings and boots, sitting on the couch with my arms crossed. I'd taken off the matching pink bonnet and thrown it on the floor, to show how pissed I was. Paul and Jacob found it funny and got a good laugh out of it.
"Har. Har." my emotionless voice was purely sarcasm.
Bella came home with a stitched-up arm. The sad part was, none of us were surprised. Jacob was angry though ang stormed off. Dad forced himself to react about it. His words showed concern but didn't match the calmness in his face. Sure, he was worried about her but Bella was in accidents so much he couldn't force himself to seem surprised. The next few days she seemed troubled and Edward was being distant, even with me. Then, finally, he left.
Bella, we found in the woods. Since I'd gotten to know Edward, I knew he wouldn't just leave her there. After spending hours with him planning things, I'd figured that he was in love with my sister. Or he was a really good actor. But even if he didn't love her, he just wasn't the kind of guy to put someone in danger like that. I was pretty sure Bella had chased after him and had gotten herself lost in the woods.
Charlie went crazy. So, did I. I wanted to go search with the others but he stopped me.
"No, Gabe. I've already lost Bella and can't handle not being able to find her. What if I lost you too?" I couldn't argue. The best way I could help him was just to stay safe. There was no way I'd be able to find her first either way. First of all, Samuel and friends knew the woods better than me. Second, they were bigger and faster than me. Third, they were freaking werewolves!
"Find her." I looked Paul straight in the eye. He nodded and jogged behind Samuel and Jared. I knew as soon as they were out of view, they'd phase and find her in no time.
It was early morning and extremely cold when they found Bella. I was relieved. My dad was too. He refused to let anyone help him carry her no matter how hard he struggled. Anyone but me. He didn't want me to at first. But it only took me one sentence to convince him.
"Dad, she's my sister." He finally let me help by support her upper body as we walked. It probably looked awkward but I didn't give a damn. That is until I noticed she was conscious. I almost dropped her from shock. How could she be so melodramatic to make dad suffer so much? She was awake, so she heard everyone calling for her. She couldn't even yell back something reassuring like 'I'm over here withering away in my depression on the forest floor. I'm alive though so don't worry.'. Any little sign that she was okay would've sufficed. Then she made everyone carry her around! If dad hadn't been standing right there I would've yelled at her. Love does things to people but it doesn't give her the right to just abuse everyone else just because some guy left her!
I ranted to Paul that night, just to let the steam out. He watched me pace back and forth with my hands behind my back as I rambled on and on about her being so self-centered. The only thing that could've stopped me is just what he did.
"I don't know, baby. I might be the same if I lost you." I was still angry and thought it was stupid but I couldn't keep yelling at him after that comment. I'm not made of stone, you know. Though I might have some in me. I laid down next to him and fell asleep with raging thoughts.
I was awoken by my sister's screams. I don't know if it was the sleep but I suddenly wasn't angry with Bella. I think that I was more worried about her well-being than angry at her selfish ways. I ran to her bed and shook her.
"Bells? It's alright, it's just a dream. Sleep now, you need to rest. Dad and I," I looked up to him standing next to me, "are right here. Nothing can hurt you anymore." I gave her hand a squeeze but she didn't respond. When she fell back to sleep, I went back to my room to find that Paul was gone. Usually he hid if my dad woke up or left his room. Maybe he thought I needed time with my family. I gathered my blankets and pillow and slept on the floor next to Bella's bed.
The next morning, Bella was still a zombie. She stayed this way for several months and it killed, watching over her took more time than I had taken with Edward and I's evil conspiracies. After school, she would sit in her room and stare blankly out the window. I walked in circles around her often. Sometimes I took videos, or made funny faces, or cracked jokes in attempt to make her smile. But she never faltered.
She was worse than those British guards, and that's saying something. I was so busy trying to distract her I had less Paul time than I'd had before.
Until one day, dad talked to her, suggesting she go out. She went with her so-called friend, that Jessica girl. We both knew that girl was jealous of Bella since day one and was not her true friend, but it was probably for dad so I didn't question her. Dad and I stayed home while she went out with Jessica even though I had a bad feeling about it.
"She'll be fine, Gab. She's just going shopping and watching a movie." my dad assured me as we dug into the meatloaf I'd made.
"Dad, Bella is a magnet for trouble. You should of let me go with her. And Jessica doesn't even like Bella. She talks too much." I complained.
"You talk too much." my dad laughed and got up to put his dishes in the sink. I sighed and got up to go wash the dishes.
As I'd expected, Bella almost died. Jessica brought her home, going on about how Bella had gotten on the back of some gang member's motorcycle like an adrenaline junkie.
Afterwards, dad suggested Jacob. I figured I could lend her my best friend, just to make things go back to normal.
Things didn't go back to normal. Bella started spending every day with Jacob and I was suspicious. She didn't pay much attention to him back when she had Edward. Didn't even give him the time of day when he came over for her birthday. It was one thing to try and be happy for dad, but using my best friend as a rebound? Hell no. I first complained to Paul who kept reminding me it was making my sister happy so I should be happy. When I kept complaining, he reacted in a way I never would have thought.
"Why the hell do you care Gabby? It's between them!" he snapped. I took a few seconds to grasp the situation at hand before retaliating.
"Jacob is my best friend, she can't just lead him on like that! It's wrong Paul!"
"He's a big boy. He knows what he's getting into! Bella makes him happy too. You never know, maybe they'd be good together." he shrugged.
I was livid. How could he not agree with me? "She's still obsessed with Edward! I wouldn't be surprised if she was using him in some weird way to get to Edward. He'll come back someday and she'll forget all about Jacob. He'll be crushed. I can't let them happen to my best friend!"
"Is he really just your best friend? Or something more? " I couldn't believe what he was saying. Jacob had been my best friend since the beginning of time! He was being just as selfish as Bella, Jacob was his friend too.
"It's not even like that and you know it." I said coldly.
"Do I?" his words were colder than mine and could give someone a frostbite.
"Stop being so inconsiderate." I rolled my eyes and scrolled through my phone for Jacob's number.
"Am I being inconsiderate or is it you? All you've been doing lately is obsess over Jacob and Bella. I understood when it was your sister being depressed but now they're happy, why can't you pay attention to me for just a second? I'm tired of Jacob this and Jacob that. Maybe you should just go be with him." Before I could think of what to say, Paul jumped out of my window and ran to the forest.
Was I wrong for trying to take care of my best friend?
No. This is just what I do, I take care of everyone else. I took care of dad, then Bella. I took care of Paul when he needed me, which was almost never, and now Jacob needed me. Paul needed to get over himself.
'Jake, what're you up to? (=' I texted to my best friend. I waited but a reply didn't come. After about thirty minutes I texted him again. Okay, I resent the same message like twenty times but I wasn't trying to be annoying. The signal might've been not working so I was just doing the logical thing. After an hour, I couldn't wait any longer. I got in Bella's truck, which she'd left because Jacob came and picked her up. He must've not expected me to be there because he didn't wave. He didn't look back when I shouted at him from my window as he sped away. Hey, his engine is really loud and in addition he had his helmet on so he obviously could not hear me. I know if he had, he would've come up and asked me to come along.
When I arrived, Jacob and Bella were in his red barn, working on an almost finished motorcycle. I couldn't tell with all the parts scattered about. They were arguing about age. The way Bella grinned ticked me off.
"Hey Jay Jay!" I used my nickname for Jacob and tackled him into a big bear hug.
"Oh... hey midget." He ruffled my hair and smiled. See? He's still my best buddy. The look on Bella's face, which was as if she were really annoyed but trying to hide it, made me pretty happy. She'd never take my best friend from me. We go way back.
"What you guys doin'? I asked while looking at the big bike he'd been working on.
"We're fixing up some motorcycles I found." Jacob sounded nervous. Was he lying to me? "Err, actually we were just about done for the day and I was going to take Bella home. You can tag along if you'd like."
"Yo, Jake, what's up?" I heard Embry knock on the garage door.
"Oh, it's okay, it's just my boys." Jacob told Bella. "Hey guys, this is Bella. Bella, that's Quil and Embry."
"I'm Quil Ateara." Quil said smoothly, nodding at Bella.
"Hello everyone! I'm here too." I'm waved to get the three boys' attention. They were looking at Bella as if they'd never seen a female before. "Gross, Quil. You're my cousin and she's my sister. That's like incest. As in illegal." Quil picked up a dirty cloth and threw it on my head.
"So, the bike-building story is true, then?" he asked Bella. Embry was shier and didn't talk much when he was interested in a girl.
Bella nodded,"Oh, yeah, yeah, I taught him everything he knows." I snorted at her joke and she rolled her eyes at me.
"What about the part that you're his girlfriend?" Quil inquired smoothly. I choked on my spit as I gasped.
"Well, we're friends." Bella smiled nervously.
"Oooh! Burn!" Embry said, suddenly finding his voice. The three of us laughed as Jacob and Bella started blushing.
"Bella and Jacob? Who told you that?!" I asked once I'd recovered from my near-death experience of choking on my spit and doubling over in laughter afterwards.
"No, no. Actually, remember I said she's a girl and a friend." Jacob tried to save himself from his lies. Bella was behind him so she couldn't see the faces he was making at Quil and Embry.
"Embry, do you remember him making that distinction?"
"No. No, I don't Quil." I rolled my eyes at their pretend posh voices.
"So, you guys have girlfriends? Cool!" Bella said awkwardly, trying to divert the attention away from her and Jacob. Jacob snorted at her comment.
"Yeah, right." Embry said.
"Nerds." I commented.
"Whatever. Just because you have you have one of the hall monitors on steroids for a boyfriend, Gabz, you think you're cool?" Quil rebounded, referring to the our old nickname for Sam, Paul, and Jared. My face fell, remembering the argument Paul and I had just had. Jacob noticed right away, and tried to change the topic.
"Quil's actually taking his cousin to prom." Jacob laughed.
"Really? Which of our cousins are you taking Quil?" I joined in half-heartedly. These two had nothing on Jacob and I as a joined force.
"Oh, yeah that's still a riot. You want funny? I'll give you funny!" Quil lunged at Jacob and their play wrestling started.
"Boys will be boys." I sighed. Embry and I dodged getting hit by them
"I got five bucks on Quil." Embry offered. I took his hand and shook on it.
"Bella?" I gave her a nudge. She was staring with her jaw dropped at Jacob. She snapped out of whatever trance she was in.
"You're on. Five for Jacob." she joined in on our betting.
Embry ended up losing ten dollars. The two left together after a while and the three of us made our way to the truck.
"I think they like you. A little too much." Jacob said to Bella. I didn't want to get into that conversation so I walked ahead. They ended up gong back to Bella's age issues.
"Who's gonna drive the truck?" Bella asked to change the subject about her preoccupation with age issues. There was an awkward air between the three of us. Did Bella not want me to ride with them?
"Why don't we all just ride in the truck?" Jacob talked slowly as if putting much thought into what he was saying. This was new to me.
We all went in the truck, but they really just dropped me off. Bella offered to drop off Jake at his house. I wanted to come along too, but Bella said I should cook dinner. Jacob agreed, all that pizza couldn't be good for my dad, he'd said. How thoughtful of my bestest buddy to remind me of my dad's health. I did as told.
I texted Paul too but he was still being a butthole. Eh, maybe he'll come around tomorrow, I thought.
The next day, Bella and Jacob went to buy auto parts. I came along of course, to make things even more fun. It ended up being not so fun. Jacob had his full attention on Bella, whose jokes and topics were rather dry if I do say so myself. I would've considered it a bad day, if dad hadn't showed up for dinner and Billy hadn't made his delicious spaghetti. The Clearwaters came over. I had a blast, and completely forgot about Paul, who still hadn't contacted me. You would think I would be more concerned but I was busy cockblocking Bella. Seth helped my cause by asking Jacob questions and talking about his favorite things, making sure Jacob liked them too. The kid really looked up to him. Then again, how could he not? Jacob had this way of somehow projecting his happiness onto others and he was always fun to be around.
In the end, Jacob couldn't resist my awesome and we talked old memories and gossiped about people on the Rez. Bella sat in the corner and munched on a piece of garlic bread. She looked rather unhappy for someone eating such a delectable treat. I was enjoying it way too much.
The next few days, Jacob started coming over and doing homework. On days he didn't we all went hiking, looking for some spot Bella had found. We even watched a movie at the theater. Initially, Bella had invited her group of friends but when Cameron, Nikki, and I saw that she was talking to her friends we made our way over to their table and invited ourselves. Paul hadn't been coming to school and I wondered if he'd switched back to the high school on the rez. Chris had started sitting closer and closer to my end of the table now that Paul was gone but Cameron made sure he stayed away. She was Team Paul 100% while Nikki was in between.
All of Bella's friends ended up bailing except for Mike and Jacob. Bella and Mike were the only ones who were 18 and able to buy tickets so Bella went to get them while the rest of us waited. Mike and Jacob were eyeing one another. Nikki, Cameron, and I stood in between them, turning our heads to whoever was talking.
"You like action movies?" Jacob asked. We looked to him, then back to Mike for his response.
"Not really." Mike answered, looking away nervously. We turned back to Jacob.
"I heard it sucks. Really bad." I sensed what he was trying to do. He was trying to convince the Newton kid to leave. Apparently, Mike figured it out as well.
"Are you even old to see this movie?" Mike rebutted. I gave him a look that matched Jacob's. "I mean, like without adult supervision."
"Yeah, well. She's buying my ticket, so..." Jacob shrugged, less confident. I looked to Cameron and Nikki, seeing they had the same guilty smiles. We wanted to back my best friend but you had to admit, it was pretty funny. When Bella began talking the three of us cracked and laughed out loud.
We sat a row behind the three of them, in the three seats directly behind them with a large box of popcorn and large soda for each us. We weren't really watching the movie at all and were thoroughly entertained by the three. I wasn't really into action or gory movies, they tended to put me to sleep.
Bella sat in between the two guys. Both Jacob and Mike put an arm on their armrest closest to Bella,with their palms facing upward as if waiting for Bella to hold their hand. I stuffed a handful of popcorn in my mouth and chewed excitedly as Bella peered down at each of them. She crossed her arms instead, not wanting to hold either guys' hand. Eventually, Mike ran out and headed for the bathroom to throw up.
Weak.
This gave Jacob a chance to talk with Bella so the three of us went secret spy mode and hid as we listened to their conversation. Jacob was trying to convince Bella that she liked him but Bella was still unresponsive. I couldn't help but smile. The two of them together just felt wrong to me for some reason. It wasn't like Paul suggested. I did not have feelings for Jacob but I knew Bella hadn't moved on yet and he deserved better than that. Eventually, Mike decided to go home and the three of us left as well. The drive home was quiet and awkward.
There was one time Bella, Jacob, and I were driving in our truck when we saw Paul and I was reminded of how he hadn't been texting me. I pointed it out to Jacob and he looked at Paul, Samuel, Jared, and now Embry in disgust as they threw themselves of the highest part of the cliff. It reminded me of when Paul brought me there and gotten me to jump off. It gave me an odd, gnawing feeling in my chest, right where my heart would be.
Jacob was upset because Embry hadn't been hanging out with us anymore and had started hanging out with the pack. He didn't know yet about the phasing, but I had a feeling that he would soon the way Sam had been looking at him. Jacob knew Paul and I were having some bumps in our relationship and he seemed to know more than I did but he wouldn't tell me no matter how much I bugged him.
I texted Paul again that night. I'd started to get the feeling that Jacob and Bella didn't like me tagging along with them. They only had two bikes and didn't even let me ride. Jacob knows I love the rush of riding on a big bike. When poor little Bella, hit her head, they forgot all about me and left for the ER. I had to walk home because no one picked up. It was really far. I was tired and pretty pissed.
I'd texted dad and Jacob. No reply. They were busy with Bella. I texted Paul, begging that he'd feel a little bad for me because it was a really long walk. Not even one reply with an excuse for not being able to come to my rescue. I wondered if he'd gone back to Rachel. He'd gone way overboard with this whole Jacob thing.
By the time I'd gotten to the house, it was dark. I was so tired and frustrated that I was shaking. And my fever came back.
But honestly, people couldn't take just twenty minutes to come drop me off?
Before I knew it, I was shaking more violently than I ever have. I felt like the whole earth would shake with me, the waves of trembling coming off me so strong. Next, I felt pain. As if my skin was being ripped off and my bones were being stretched, four times their size. The pain was so severe, it had me on all four. Just as sudden as it began, it was gone. I pushed myself off the floor to stand up and reach for my phone, ready to call Billy or Samuel, anyone who would answer and help me.
I almost had a heart attack when I saw reaching for my phone as I did. I looked around, for some reason, my vision was really good and I could see everything in detail, like the water dripping off the faucet. I could hear the little droplets hit the sink in big booms, much too loud for such tiny drops. There was no dog or other creature in the kitchen. Was I going crazy or what?
My legs were sore from standing, probably because of my long walk, I thought. I had trouble just walking over to the couch. While reaching over for the remote, to turn on the TV and distract myself, I saw the dog paw yet again. I drew my hand back quickly. So, did the over-sized animal. It was playing games with me! Very funny! Just to make my day even better. When I reached out for the remote again, it hit me.
The paw was mine.
I ran to the mirror in the hallway and instead of my reflection, I saw a very large black and white husky. Wait, what the fuck? Isn't it supposed to be a wolf? Okay so the face and fur are definitely wolf, but why is my color like a freaking Oreo? It was a very dark black on top, much like a husky, completely with a 'devil's mask' you'd only see on a husky. The lower part, being my legs, chest and muzzle, were a bright spotless white that contrasted with the black fur along my back, head, tail and shoulders. There really was a black mask around my eyes.
I know for a fact that wolves do not come in this color.
However, my muzzle was much too long and tapered to be a husky. My piercing yellow eyes, were quite frightening. Definitely, not a dog. The way the fur on my face was, completed the wolfy traits that differentiated me from a dog. I attempted to lift my lips, wait, are they still called that on a wolf? Whatever they are, I lifted them into a snarl-like fashion and jumped when the wolf in the mirror did so. My teeth were much sharper and longer than a dogs would be.
Okay so I was definitely a wolf. With a Siberian-husky like color.
Was this some kind of go at my un-even tan?
Really? Did the spirits find this funny?
Is that even allowed?
It was my dirty little secret that although I'm quite light-skinner, I tan easily. Therefore, the skin normally covered by my shirts and shorts was quite a few shades lighter than those exposed. The area where I'm usually covered by a sports bra and underwear was even whiter.
Oh, ha ha. I bet whoever decided this was really getting a kick out of this.
Well, instead of fussing over what can't be changed, I decided to go find someone to help me. I didn't leave a note, because without plausible thumbs, it was quite impossible.