"Park Bench?" Emily stated again, her voice dripping confusion and curiosity. I grinned widely, and glanced at Rosa. She was grinning evilly and I knew she was planning something. I glanced around the room, counting the guests. All of whom acted as though they owned the place. Not only were there feet on my coffee table but Seth was eating Cheetos on my couch. It is not as if I minded, because the rest of us act that way but where did Seth get Cheetos?
"Uh, is someone going to explain this game, and should I be worried? Rosa is kind of scaring me." Jake said interrupting my thoughts while hiding behind Aiyana. I chuckled at him; sure seven-foot tall monster on steroids was afraid of a five-foot tall girl in pigtails. That's realistic.
"Okay,
Park Bench. One of my personal favorites. Everyone needs to grab a
partner and follow me." I instructed the group. I got up and
grabbed the stopwatch. Embry followed, and quickly looped his large
fingers in mine. I moved towards the door, as everyone finished
pairing and walked out.
I was not too familiar with La Push yet,
but I did know where the park was. I quickly led the group there,
trying not to laugh at all the silly murmurs of suspicion floating
from mouth to mouth behind me.
Trip, oops! Need to pay more attention to walking and less to evil planning. I grumbled but Embry of course just chuckled at me.
While I was distracted, Rosa had quickly run to the front. I was slightly surprised to see her towing Paul but said nothing. She walked next to me, pushing Embry out of her way for the moment and grinned at me, I winked in return. This will be fun, I thought to myself.
"So
are you going to tell me or do I have to beg?" Embry's husky
voice whispered in my ear from behind, causing me to shiver. I smiled
back at him.
"I'd like to see you beg. Come on puppy, on
the ground!" I teased moving back next to him, and he chuckled
and bumped me away for a second. I rubbed my hip, hoping it would not
bruise as I chuckled. Note to self, Embry is hard. Wait, dirty
thought. Erase!
"When will the dog jokes end?" He exasperated looking to the heavens as though he would receive the answer written in the clouds. I rolled my eyes.
"Hmm." I teased pretending to consider a date. "They will stop if you let me go for a ride on your back." I suggested.
He smiled, and mocked my deal by grabbing my wrist and throwing me onto his back. I yelped at the sudden movement and wrapped my legs tightly around his waist before smacking his head, even though he could not feel it.
"You jerk, you know what I meant." I argued. He laughed, and I could not help but think sometimes it would be nice if it would actually hurt him. Then again if that were the case I would feel guilty.
"You should have specified, besides it's not safe." He informed me as I climbed back off, to lead the way.
"You would never hurt me." I stated, and no one said anything. We both knew it was not something to discuss.
"Please?" I tried again, tucking my bottom lip out and scrunching my eyebrows in a way that would surely cause any person with a heart to cave. Unfortunately, either Embry is heartless or he hangs out with too many dogs.
"That face won't work this time, little missy. And the dog jokes aren't bad enough for me to risk your life." He argued, still keeping a calm exterior. Okay, apparently we can talk about this. I felt a little guilty though; Emily and Sam were only a ten feet behind us.
"Whatever, this conversation isn't over. Besides we're here." I mentioned as we stood along the edge of the forest in the park. I nodded to Rosa, and she moved to stand in front of everyone, but motioned us all to move closer inwards.
"OK, everyone our first game is called Park Bench as you all know. The object of the game is to convince a random person who is sitting on a Park Bench to get up. You will be timed, and the fastest person wins. You cannot physically move the person, or pay them to move. An example would be to tell the person you dog peed on the bench. You do not have to say anything, but you may. Any questions?" She finished, as everyone looked around to make sure it was clear.
"So basically we are scaring the people on the bench?" Paul said confused. Rosa chuckled, and explained that you do not have to scare them. They just need to get up, and not sit back down.
"OK, everyone good?" I asked and everyone either nodded or said yeah. I smiled, overly excited.
"Alright you may get with your partner and begin planning. You have one minute, then we will decide who goes first. Okay?" I explained, and motioned for Embry to follow me away from the group. I glanced at my watch, to check the time.
"OK, what do you want to do?" I asked him, and I could tell he was contemplating something. I had a few ideas from old games, but I wanted to hear his ideas.
"Okay, don't get mad but this is my idea." He said before whispering his plan into my ear. I blushed, but nodded. It was a good idea. I checked the time as we moved back toward the other groups. They still had thirty seconds. I was nervous, and excited. I began jumping up and down in anticipation; Embry laughed and placed a calming hand on my shoulder.
"So about that sugar problem you have…" He teased mocking my hyperactive mood.
"Sorry, I am just very competitive." I mumbled acting embarrassed even though I was far from it. I grinned as Rosa walked over to me. She always wins this game, but in all fairness, I was normally her partner.
"You're going down." She teased, and I laughed.
"Well then at least you wont be alone, shorty." I teased back, and she just stuck her tongue out. I smirked, Embry's idea was great, but I just hope it works fast enough.
"Wow, It amuses me that you make fun of her for being short, pint size." Embry teased, comparing our heights. We both scowl, but Rosa wisely walks away.
"Hmpf! You're just jealous because you have to duck inside buildings to avoid hitting your head, and it makes you look like a hunchback." I tease.
"Ouch, that hurts." He says rubbing his heart, before calling me a Meany. I smile up at him, and then reached to peck his lips. Unfortunately, my height decides to mock me, and I get his chin. Embry laughs and takes pity on me, ducking down to my level and placing a warm chaste kiss on my lips just as the timer goes. I jump a little in surprise and as always Embry chuckles.
"Alright everyone, that was the timer. Who wants to go first?" I called to the group, regaining my composer and searching for a volunteer.
"Let me show you how this is done." Paul boasted, grabbing Rosa's hand and pulling her towards the first victim. I wonder briefly how their becoming relationship is working, but it leaves my thoughts as quickly as it enters. I would never understand it.
Embry pulls me forward with everyone, following the two predators to get a closer look. Paul and Rosa reached the bench and I start the time.
"Hello sir?" I overheard Paul say to the middle-aged man sitting on the bench as Rosa stood next to him.
"Hello." The man replied, trying to ignore him.
Paul briefly began explaining that the bench was part of a murder case. Too bad, it is such a small town that if there really was a murder case, everyone would know everything. Their ploy was highly unrealistic.
"Look kid, I don't know who you are trying to joke, but leave me alone." The man replied hotly. I snickered, and high five'd Embry. I could literally see Paul's confidence fade. It took a mere second for Rosa stepped in front of the man. I hoped she had a good backup plan.
"Excuse him sir, but he hasn't taken his meds. Do you mind if we borrow this bench so I can give them to him?" She spoke expertly, smiling and acting like a sweetheart. Ha.
"Oh, sure." The man replied, but did not move. I watched as Rosa coughed in awkwardness.
"Actually, I meant could you get up. If he has another episode, you may get injured." She replied and just like that, the man got up. I glanced at the timer; it read 1:39:03. I looked up and announced the time as she and Paul did a miniature happy dance. I glared, and she stuck her tongue out.
"Beat that!" Paul cheered. Leah stepped in front of him, and curtly replied.
"I plan to." She walked towards the next bench, with Quil at her side. I wondered briefly, why the two of them are collaborated, but I guess they were the only one's left unpaired. Even Seth had brought a date, although he has not even bothered to introduce her to me. I would have to yell at him later for that.
"They are going to lose. They are going to lose."Aiyana chanted, and I laughed in agreement.
"Oh, and who do you think is going to win?" Seth challenged. To no one's surprise her and Jake assured everyone it would be them. I chuckled and looked up to find Leah and Quil just reaching there victim. I set the timer, but unlike the great ears of the werewolves, I could not hear a word of the interaction I was timing. I would just have to pretend to interpret the movements they made.
I
watched as Leah's hands waved in the air and I think Quil was
crying. I snorted in disappointment. There was no way to make sense
of this.
All of a sudden, I felt Embry's toasty arm around my
waist and warm breath on my neck.I looked up curious of the motion,
but before I even could ask a question Embry was quickly explaining
there odd performance.
It was a good idea and it did seem believable. I would have to ask Quil about the fake crying though.
I watched the scene unfold and soon enough the man was running the in the direction of a payphone and Leah and Quil were walking back smug. I glanced at the timer and announced the time to the group. They just barely lost to Rosa and Paul.
The faces sunk in the news and Paul twirled Rosa around in happiness, while Quil and Leah began bantering about whose fault it was. I sighed, and asked who would go next. Seth and his 'date' volunteered.
My curiosity won and I found myself asking Embry who she was. He looked at the girl, and after a second, a flicker of recognition fell upon his features.
"That is Megan; she's his next-door neighbor. They use to date. Apparently, they broke up when he joined the pack, but it was not serious so they stayed friends. I told him to bring a date, do you mind?" He questioned me, eyes full of worry. I laughed, and shrugged.
"When have I ever given a sheep's foot?" I joked, and he laughed.
"Did you just say sheep's foot? That is the weirdest thing I have ever heard." He chuckled, and I looked at him.
"I always say weird things. When will you learn?" I joked and realized I was supposed to start the timer. I barely paid attention to his group but they must have done something funny. It seemed that everyone else was cracking up. I stared at the two, trying to figure out what happened, but all I could see was something orange on Seth's face.
I looked at the victim, a mother with a young baby. Megan was laughing, but the mother seemed distressed. It took me a second but I realized the baby had gotten sick on Seth. It looked like the mother was apologizing, while wiping his face off.
I glanced at the timer, and they were starting to near the two-minute mark. I decided they lost anyway, so I called him back in attempt to end his suffering. Too bad for him his brother's did not feel like giving him a break.
"What flavor was it?" Quil joked, clutching his sides.
"Wow, the kids are all over you these days." Jared punned.
"Can I try some?" Jake teased. Seth replied to by chucking some of it at him. Well at least the jokes ended.
It took a minute for everyone to control their laughs but after they did, Jared volunteered. It was completely against Kim's will, but after a couple reassuring words, she gained some confidence. I hope that Em and I do not act like that, way too sappy.
I set the timer once again as two stopped in front of person occupying a bench. I was beginning to worry we would run out of benches, but nonetheless the team began their performance.
I only caught small glimpses of there scene and eventually just grunted and sat down, choosing to pay strict attention to the time rather than my opponents.
The time seemed to move in slow motion. I glanced up as the group watching as the person began to move. I looked back down at the time; it was just seconds away from beating Rosa. I glanced back up, and the person was gone. I smiled and cheered as Jared ran back carrying Kim. I laughed and showed everyone the time. 1:38:47
"What now! Woot woot!" Jared called as he grabbed Kim to plant large kisses across her face. Rosa grunted and snagged the watch to stare at it.
"Y'all cheaters!" She complained childishly as she threw my stopwatch at the ground. I laughed, knowing it was just play, but I could not resist sticking my tongue out.
"Alright, alright let the masters do this." Jake informed the group as he and Aiyana moved over to an older gentleman and began there attempts. I decided to move closer just as I started the timer. There fun began, and it was quite the site. Who knew they were so...strange?
I muffled my giggles as Jake was doing the strangest things, and Aiyana talked the poor man's ear off. The poor man looked like he could not believe the sight in front of himself, in fact I am sure the poor man would commit himself thinking he had gone delirious. Oh well, it is part of the game.
Moments later, the poor man let out a mangled groan, and hobbled away with his hands in the air, ditching his newspaper and cane. I laughed so hard I am sure the milk I drank yesterday would squirt out my nose. I took a deep breath and checked the time. 1:22:31
They returned to the group, bragging and ranting. There was not anyone sitting on a bench so we would have to wait. Maybe we could play another game in the meantime. Who else remained, anyway? Sam still needed to go, and Em and I. Was that everyone? Just two more groups?
I sat down on the ground, cross-legged and leaning against the tree. I was a little tired, so I closed my eyes. I am sure any bystander would assume I was meditating, but I was fully aware of my surroundings. Or at least to the sudden warmth to my right, the heavy breathing, and definitely the soft kisses that trailed my neck and shoulder.
"Hello Embry." I said softly, barely a whisper. It would not be a hyperbole to say he takes my breath away. Literally, he astounds me. He chuckled, in his deep and husky voice that I could never become accustomed too. I shivered in reaction to his warm breaths on the back of my neck.
"Are you ready babe?" He asked, and my eyes slowly opened. There not fifteen feet away from our hidden position was a new victim. In truth, I was very nervous. Why couldn't we go last?
"Are
you sure you don't want to let Emily and Sam go next?" I
questioned him. Was it just me or was everything suddenly itchy? Oh,
those are my nerves.
"Come on, you can do this, unless you do
not want too. Then we don't have too. Do you?" He asked,
worrying as always. I smiled at him, displaying false courage.
Unfortunately, my acting classes never paid off, and it would not
have even fooled a blind man. He placed his large hand over mine,
rubbing soothing circles as he lifted me up from the ground and
handed the stopwatch to Rosie.
Those faithful steps, leading to that lone bench, seemed endless. I focused on my breathing, and swallowed. Within an instant of reaching our destination, Embry began our performance. I tuned out my surroundings focusing on Embry, and only Embry. This was something we have done several times, why would it seem scary today. My back landed on the cold metal bench, and my hands traveled down his muscles. My fingers wrapped around the fabric, ripping it over his head, as his soft lips attacked mine. I glanced up, trying to see where the stranger was. He was staring at me, it irked me but rather than stop, or wish to fade away, I winked. He stared for a second longer, and I began to wonder if this man was some pervert that got off on watching other people. My heart soared that he slowly moved away, with a disturbed look on his face.
I smiled, and began to sit up after he was completely off the bench. Embry took a second longer to regain his composure. In fact, his hands were still resting under my shirt as we arrived back to our command center. Some faces looked stunned, while others looked grossed out. I simply laughed and yanked the watch from Rosa to check our time. 1: 21: 23
I cheered in success and Embry lifted me and twirled in circles.
"Are you actually proud that you practically had sex in a public park and scared someone away?" Quil joked.
"You're just jealous Claire is still a toddler!" Embry fired back, and I laughed. Poor Quilly. I looked to his face, expecting to see some form of regret or something, but he merely smiled widely at the thought of Claire. It was too cute, but I could not help but be jealous that he has her.
A silent tear slid down my face, and I quickly swiped it away. No need to ruin the party. I choked back my pain, and let out and excited call to Emily.
"Hey girl, you still up for the challenge? Or are you too chicken?" I chastised. She smiled her ever loving and motherly look, and with Sam in tow walked out to another bench. One I had not even noticed. I started the time, and not a moment later was the person on the bench standing up and giving Emily a hug. I stood, slack-jawed. All my embarrassment and frantic nerves for a loss. They did not even do anything, and yet they blew us off the board.
I watched, as she waved a goodbye, and walked back over to us. I could already hear Sam saying 'that's my girl', and Emily just looking innocent.
"Oh, that was cheap!" Aiyana complained, and everyone agreed.
"Of course, Emily would know the person!" Seth complained. I did not say a word, sure, I was just as disappointed and shocked as the rest, but I on the other hand was very pleased to see the attention not focusing on my stunt.
"So, did this help get over you PDA issues?" Embry's voice teased and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Not really, if anything I think it got worse." I admit, and when I look at his face, it has visibly fallen.
"Why is it important to you?" I question confused. Do people actually like making the people around them feel awkward? I know for sure I don't want to see that much of someone else's personal life, why would they want to see mine. Not to mention how red-faced, and self-conscious I become.
"I like showing people you belong to me." He stated simply, yet it was very possessive.
"Wow, even though I totally still disagree, that was incredibly sexy." I stated staring into his now glazed eyes. I smiled, pecked his hand, which wrapped around mine and began our trek back to the house.
Well, that game was at the very least strange, but I think everyone had fun.
The walk home was quiet, and by the time we arrived at the house, I was starting to get frustrated listening to everyone's stomach growling. Needless to say, before the next game could start, we were all seriously pigging out.
Okay!
Soooo, that was just a fun, slightly filler chapter but tell me your
thoughts! More reviews, the harder I work to get the next chapter up!
D