After the pack meeting, Brady and Collin took me out to dinner in Forks. We went to this quaint little restaurant that I had always loved and always begged to go to for special events. The outside looked like a fairytale cottage straight out of a storybook, and the inside made you feel as if you were actually a character in one. The food was incredibly yummy, too.
It wasn't until they got the staff to bring me a piece of cheesecake and sing "Happy Birthday" to me that I remembered that it was my birthday. With all the crazy stuff that had happened, I had forgotten. November 14th. I was officially fifteen. It had felt like I'd been fifteen for a lot longer. And now, after today, I felt even older.
But as I ordered my usual chicken fingers and Dr. Pepper, I tried not to think about the wolf-thing. I just wanted to enjoy myself with my brother and our best friend.
"Whatcha thinking about, Catie? You look like you're about pass out from concentrating so hard," Collin remarked, bringing me back to reality.
"Actually, I was trying not to think. It takes more concentration than you might think."
Brady laughed. "Don't hurt yourself. Trying not to think sounds more painful than it's worth," he winked at me, which sent a shiver up my spine. Odd.
"Here you go." The waitress placed my food and drink in front of me. "Thanks," I smiled at her.
Our waitress was a pretty girl, probably 18 or so, with long dark hair and very blue eyes. I knew Collin and Brady would comment on her "hotness" once she walked away.
"Wow," Collin said, sipping his coke, watching the waitress as she glided toward the kitchen and away from our table.
"Wow? Really, Collin? All you can say is wow?" Brady said, incredulous. "That girl was more than wow. She was fine."
I rolled my eyes. I'd been around the two of them enough to know this was how it went. No matter if one of them had a girlfriend, they would comment on the waitress' good looks and flirt with her. Meanwhile, I'd just sit there, rolling my eyes and sending apologetic vibes to the girl, sorry for her that she had to put up with their idiotic ramblings.
But this time was different. When Brady said she was fine, I wished he was talking about me. Which was beyond weird, because I'd never once in my life felt attracted to Brady. He was my brother's best friend, for crying out loud! And not to mention Summer's boyfriend (though that didn't mean anything; Summer tore through boys faster than a little kid tears through wrapping paper on Christmas morning). I was probably just feeling protective, I rationalized. Summer deserved better than a boyfriend that would flirt behind her back with the first hot waitress that came along. That had to be why I felt angry when he said that.
I ate my dinner quietly, as the boys talked about heaven-knows-what. They didn't notice my silence, for which I was glad, because I really just needed some time to think.
When the waitress came back, Brady decided to really flirt with her. "So, what's your name?"
"Mallory," she smiled innocently. "And yours?"
"I'm Brady. You know, you're gorgeous."
She blushed. "No, I'm really not."
"Oh, but you are," Brady grinned at her. Oh, boy, was he laying it on thick. Collin and I's eyes met, and while he was trying to hide his snickering, I felt enraged. I didn't understand why. But I was incredibly angered by Brady's unashamed flirted. "You know what, Mallory, why don't I take you out tomorrow night? Look, here's my number." Brady grabbed her hand and the pen out of her server apron and wrote down his number on her hand. "Call me, okay?"
She smiled goofily, clearly enamored by Brady's affection. "What about Summer?" I nearly screamed at him. God, what was up with me?
"Oh, she broke up with me this morning. I guess she didn't get a chance to tell you."
This should've made me feel better. But it didn't. Instead, I could feel myself shaking, and it took me a moment to realize what was happening. Holy crap! I was phasing. Right there in the middle of the restaurant.
And to make matters worse, I didn't know how to stop.
"Collin," I called to my brother, my voice shaking. I couldn't move, I could do anything but sit there and shake. Collin looked up at me, and he knew what was happening.
"Oh God," he said, picking me up swiftly and carrying me out of the restaurant. Once outside, he coached me and told me to take deep breaths. Eventually, I calmed myself down, and the tremors stopped. I felt weak, and I leaned against the wall of the cottage-restaurant for support. Collin looked at me and quietly ventured to speak. "Catie, are you okay?"
I nodded, and he took a deep breath. "I really thought you were gonna phase."
"Me too," I whispered, my voice sounding hoarse and frail.
"What made you lose control? I mean, I know it's easy to lose control when you're so new to the whole shape-shifting thing, but normally, something triggers it. What happened?" Collin asked me, genuinely concerned.
Good. He didn't realize that I was angry over Brady's new date. I just shook my head, and he was luckily distracted by Brady, who had just walked out the door.
"Score!" Brady hollered, before turning to me. "What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Collin answered for me. "She just lost control, but she's okay now. You paid?"
Brady nodded vigorously. "Well, I'm glad you're better." I smiled weakly at him. "Dude, can you believe it? I have a date with Mallory!"
Collin shook his head, a smile on his lips. "Always the lady's man, now, aren't you, Brady?"
Brady grinned. "It's impossible for any lady to resist me."
"I can resist you," I pointed out.
"But you don't really count," he countered, and while my heart sank and my temper flared, I took a deep breath before forcing a grin.
"No, I guess I don't."
Brady and Collin fell into an easy step on either side of me as we walked to Collin's car. They chattered on about Brady's date with Mallory and I stayed silent, fearing that if I opened my mouth something (like the fact that I kinda sorta liked Brady- I guess I didn't resist him as easily as I had once thought, huh?- and was more than jealous of Mallory) would slip out that I would soon regret.
Author's note: Can you believe it? A second chapter in one night. I'm on a roll :) More coming soon! Let me know what you think!