Author's Note: I do not own any of the wolves or vampires that might appear in this story. They either belong to Stephenie Meyer or to the lovely Ninadoll! The O'Brien sisters and Liam are really the only thing I might lay claim to. The mysteriously sexy Scar is Nina's invention as well.
Thank you, thank you to Ninadoll for creating this universe and for encouraging me. If you haven't yet, please be sure to check out her new story about Embry called How the Mighty Fall! And don't forget to congratulate her on her win of the Twitastic Award for Best Jake and Renesmee Story for How Wonderful Life is Now You're in the World! I am so extremely proud of her!
Funny story to share. In the musical, Oklahoma, there's a song called "The Farmer and the Cowman Should Be Friends." Last night, shojioxlow and I went to see Eclipse, we tend to have hilarious commentary, but the scene where Billy and Carlisle shake hands, Shoji looks at me and sings, "Oh, the vampire and the werewolf should be friends…" I literally laughed for a good thirty minutes afterwards.
As always, thank you to everyone that reads and reviews! You are very much appreciated! Enjoy! Don't forget to check out blog at liljenrocks{dot}blogspot{dot}com or my homepage at liljenrocks{dot}web{dot}com for pictures of clothes and such from this chapter!
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CHAPTER 8: GRADUATION DAY
SCAR'S POV
Time seemed to pass quickly from Christmas. Ava and the Clearwaters and I had taken one or two trips to Seattle to get registered for school, and though we'd looked at the condo a few times, there were no definite plans for who would have which room and such. That wouldn't be made until we moved in, in August. I rang in the New Year with Ava and Claire and Quil, as well as some of the other wolves my age, like Luka, Lil' G and Scott. Then we all spent Valentine's Day together, except for Quil and Claire, who used that day for some "alone time."
Spring Break was Hell on Earth. For the first time in who knows how long, Ava and I were separated for a week, seven days that seemed the bane of my existence. She and Ashley went to Oklahoma, and I was stuck here, on the reservation, doing patrols for some of the other wolves that could actually afford to go on vacation. I'm not complaining about that though. I owed Jake and Nessie a lot and would do whatever I could to show them that, even if extra patrols were the extent of my affection. Jake gave me lessons on how to "properly" ride the bike they'd gotten me, and lately even Embry and I had started to hang out. I found a bit of a kindred spirit in him although in the last few months he seemed especially morose. We both grew up without one of our parents and we were both a little bitter. The difference was that he released his pent up frustration through sex, I released it through Ava. Now, in the back of my mind, I would've loved to combine the two, but that wasn't happening anytime soon, if ever. So I spent a whole seven days without my favorite person, though Abby and Seth had me over for dinner five times during that time, I think to ease Abby's mind and "keep me out of trouble," as she liked to say. The day she got back you can bet I was standing at baggage claim, and it was my arms Ava ran into.
"Promise me we'll never be apart for that long. It was torture!" she whispered while we sat in the backseat of Seth's Rover. She stuck her pinky out for me, her tongue darting out of the side of her mouth.
"Promise," I answered and then wrapped her hand in mine.
By the time May rolled around, to say I was tired was an understatement, I was exhausted. But the thing that kept me going was the light at the end of the tunnel: graduation. Jake had lessened my patrol over the next week to study for my finals and get plenty of rest. I was excited, for the first time in a long time, I was excited. There had been a time when I wasn't sure what kind of future I would have, if I had any at all. I couldn't think of doing anything other than staying in La Push and taking care of my Dad but, unlike some of the others that had wolfed out, I was actually thankful that I had phased. Being a part of the pack gave me a future. It wasn't just me thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, it was Jake and Nessie encouraging me to study and to apply for colleges; it was Abby and Seth, giving me a place to live, and Ava giving me a best friend; and it was Embry, mentoring me and telling me my ideas were good. The pack was my family.
As much as I loved this life, I also knew it was a dangerous life to live. I'm not even talking about the real danger that existed in being a wolf. Sure, that was always in the back of my mind. You never knew what might happen, what kind of freaky vamp might wander onto the rez. But the danger I was worried about was more human. If I had learned anything in my life, it was that things can be given, but just as quickly, things can be taken away. I feared that one day, all of this would be taken away. But I wouldn't say anything, I would keep my faith and hope for now and wait and pray that nothing would happen.
Like now, when I'm laying on my bed, studying for my damn Physics final and really wishing I was at the Clearwaters' with Ava. Ava was under strict orders to study and I had been deemed a distraction, so she was there and I was here.
"Oscar, can you come here?" Dad's voice came from the living room.
I sighed and dragged myself up. "Sure," I groaned. Dad had been encouraging me a lot lately but I knew he was scared too. I had taken care of him for so long that I knew he was scared what might happen when I was gone.
As soon as I walked out the door of my bedroom, the scent of blood hit my nose. I could tell it wasn't just a little blood either, it had to be lots of blood. I made it to the living room faster than I had ever walked before. Dad was sitting on the floor with a broken bottle in his hand. "I cut myself a little," he said softly, raising the wound a little.
"A little?" I yelped. Little was not the word I would've used. There was a puddle of blood around him and his skin was an ashy color. He had to have been bleeding for awhile. "When did you cut yourself?"
"Just like…I don't…I," he couldn't even make a complete sentence and I could smell the alcohol everywhere.
"How much did you drink, Dad?" I asked, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch and wrapping his hand in it.
"I don't know, I just finished some stuff," he slurred his words as he spoke. I don't know how he was getting liquor, I sure as hell hadn't been buying it for him and he very rarely went out, but nonetheless, he had it. "I finished the bottle and then I dropped so I picked up the glass."
I pulled his hand to me, "Let me see." I unwrapped the blanket and looked at the large gash in his hand. He must have closed his hand around the glass without thinking. Regardless, I knew this wasn't something a band-aid could fix, this was going to need some major medical attention and there was no way in hell I was taking him to a hospital. "I'm gonna call a doctor, you sit right here, do you hear me?" I felt like I was scolding a dog or a child but it was pretty much what Dad was like in his drunken state.
"NO Doctors! I hate doctors!" He begged.
"Too bad. You should've thought about that before you broke the bottle," I could feel my anger starting to get the better of me and I had to take deep breathes to control myself. I couldn't phase here in the living room and I certainly couldn't phase in front of my Dad who had no idea that shapeshifters were real. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed the number to the only person that I felt like I could trust with this situation.
"Dr. Clearwater's phone," Abby giggled. I looked at the clock to see it was well past eleven. There's no telling what I was breaking up at this hour between an imprinted couple.
"Hey, Abby. It's Scar, I…can I talk to Seth?" I asked, feeling shy all of the sudden.
"Sure, sweetie. You okay?" she asked. I really wanted to break down and cry but I just took another deep breath.
"Yeah, I just might need some medical help," I looked down at Dad's wrapped hand in my own hand and wondered how I could change this, how could my life be different.
"Okay, here he is," she said softly, passing the phone off. "It's Scar."
"Scar, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Seth chuckled. I knew he was busy and if I wasn't afraid my Dad might bleed out, I'd have let this wait until morning.
"My Dad cut himself. I think he might need stitches but I didn't want to take him to the hospital. I was wondering…"
"Of course, I'll be right there. Give me like ten minutes," Seth said and I could already hear him moving around to get ready. I hung up the phone. I was worried about Dad, but I was also so pissed that I couldn't see straight. What the hell was he thinking?
"Oscar," Dad started to do the guilt part of his drunkenness but I knew better than to let in. I helped him make his way to his recliner then went to get him a cup of coffee to maybe sober up a little before Seth got here. I handed him the strong black liquid just as there was a rap on the door.
"Stay here," I told him firmly while I got up to get the door. Seth stood on the porch with his bag in hand. You could tell he was in bed when I'd called. He was wearing sweats and a red baseball cap with white embroidered OU on it. It was an emblem I'd become familiar with hanging out at the Clearwater's. "Thank you so much for coming," I opened the door to let Seth in.
"Not a problem. You know you can always call if need anything," he patted my back as I led him to the living room where Dad was laying back in the recliner. "Mr. Monroe, how are you this evening?"
Dad looked at him like he'd grown a third eye. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Dr. Clearwater, but you can call me Seth. Now, let me take a look at this hand," Seth sat next to him and slipped on his latex gloves. He slowly unwrapped the blanket and I felt my stomach lurch at the sight of the wound. The cut was deeper than I thought and seeing how much damage he'd done made me sick. "Let's hope you didn't cut any tendons." He had me get some hot water and a clean rag so he could wash out the wound while Dad gripped the sides of his La-Z-Boy until the knuckles on his good hand were white. "Luckily, it looks like he's just going to need stitches." Seth pulled a few tools from his bag while I kept my eyes on Dad. His face was contorted in an expression that I had to turn away to keep from laughing. "This might hurt a little." No sooner had the words left Seth's mouth than Dad let out a loud yelp.
"What the fuck are you doing to me?" He started to stand from his seat but I pushed him down as fast as I could.
"Hold still," I ordered, keeping my hand on his shoulder.
Seth didn't' seemed fazed though, he just kept working away until Dad decided to start talking to him. "Clearwater? You related to Harry Clearwater?" He asked.
"Yes, that's my Dad," Seth didn't look up. There were times that I envied Seth. I know it sounds horrible to say but in some ways, I thought, he got off easier than I did. His father didn't choose to leave him, to become some drunken bastard who couldn't manage to pick up glass without slicing his hand open. His Dad left him with the idea that he was loved. I didn't have that. I woke up every morning thinking the only reason my father even kept me around was because he needed someone to take care of him. That wasn't love, that was dependency.
"It was a sure shame when he died. I remember that. Heart attack, wasn't it?" Dad rambled on.
"Yes, at home," Seth answered frankly. He was almost finished and was putting the last stitch in. "You know, Mr. Monroe, your son is a pretty special kid. Can you believe his graduating on Saturday? And with a 4.0 GPA? I couldn't be more proud of him if he was my own son."
Shit…There was a reason I hadn't told him about graduation. Mostly because I was really afraid he'd actually decide to come, not that I didn't love my father. I was just afraid what might happen if he came, how he might act. I wanted him to be there because I wanted him to be proud, but I wasn't sure if the reward was worth the toil.
But I looked at Dad and saw the one look I had tried so hard to never see from him: hurt. He looked at me and it felt like a knife going through my heart. "You didn't tell me about graduation?" He asked.
"Um, I just forgot," I lied and I knew that he and Seth could see right through it.
"Well, we're having a little get together after La Push's graduation Saturday. Why don't you guys swing by?" Seth asked with a smile on his face while he bandaged Dad's hand.
"That'd be great. What time?" Dad asked.
"About seven. Forks' graduation is at two, then La Push's is at four. That should give you plenty of time," Seth finished up and shut his case. "All fixed. Now," he pulled out a bottle of aspirin. "Let Scar clean up that glass and you take two of these with a full glass of water. Leave it bandaged and I'll come by Friday to check out how it's healing."
"Thank you, Dr. Clearwater," Dad said before he scratched his head.
"Yeah, thanks, Seth," I said, putting my hand out for him to shake. He took it and then spoke very low, so low that Dad wouldn't hear.
"Follow me out," he said. I nodded and excused myself, walking out with Seth to his car. He was being very serious and took a deep breath as he opened the back and put his bag in. "Why didn't you tell your Dad about your graduation?" Seth asked me. He had a look on his face that I couldn't place. I didn't know if he was pissed off or if he was worried, he just looked different.
"Because, you saw him. If he were your father would you want him there?" It was the first time I'd spoken the words out loud. I'd never, ever, ever in my life let on that I was pissed, no frustrated, with the hand fate had dealt me. I did the good son routine and helped my Dad with everything, but deep inside, I was hurting.
Seth's face softened a little then. "You heard your Dad, talking about my Dad, right?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah, so my Dad, he didn't get to come to my high school graduation. Or my college graduation, or my wedding. My Dad won't get to see his grandchildren or meet his daughter-in-law. My Dad is literally gone, Scar. He's never coming back. Ever," Seth looked down and then back at me again. "Your Dad may not be the best, but he's the only Dad you've got. And he's here, with you, and I know he's a pain in the ass and I know you hate what he's become but he's your Dad."
"You don't understand," I shook my head and kicked a rock. This was not a conversation I wanted to be having now, or ever really.
"I do understand," he rebutted. "I was pretty pissed at my Dad too, Scar. I was pissed that he left me, left our family."
"But he's dead! He didn't choose to shrivel up into a shell. He didn't decide that it was easier to go through life with his head in a bottle. It's not the same," I shoved him a little but I should've known, as the older wolf, he was stronger and faster, and he grabbed my arm.
"You're right. It's not the same. But I want you to go in that house, look at your father, and tell me if you don't see any love in that man's face. I get that he's not made the best choices, I understand that you hurt just as much as he does from your loss. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that that man in there loves you, and he deserves the chance to see you walk across that stage and get your diploma. A father's love…" Seth looked down and his voice broke. "It never dies. Even when he's drunk or hung over, he loves you. And more than that, he gives you a challenge."
"What's that?" I rolled my eyes. Just what I needed, another fucking challenge.
"Be someone that makes him want to change. Be a better man than he dreamed of being, a better husband, a better father, anything. I know you, Scar. I may not know you as well as Ava does, but I know you. And I have so much faith in you. Do you think I would let my sister-in-law move to a big city with someone that I didn't know was destined for great things?" Seth let loose of my arm and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying.
"What if I can't do it?" I whispered. There were other reasons I hadn't told my Dad about graduation. I was scared shitless of the future, mostly because I was afraid I would fail.
"You can. I know you can," he patted my back. Seth cleared his throat and I heard his voice crack again. "You may not have had much of a family before, but I promise you, you will always have a place in mine. Abby and I will be there to help you with anything that you need. And Ava and even Ashley. Of course, she might require payment in the form of dancing, but it all works out in the end," he chuckled and I joined in. "Not just us either, Scar. Jake and Ness, Quil and Claire, Embry, we're all here cheering you on because we know you can do it. We are your family too." Before I knew what I was doing, Seth had pulled me into a hug and I knew that's exactly what I needed. I felt a little of the bitterness and the fear melt away. Not all, but some of it.
"Thank you, Seth," I said, releasing him. "For everything."
Seth chuckled and headed towards his car. "It was nothing, bro. Now, go study. Ava said you have four finals tomorrow and we're all expecting A's." I nodded and watched him get in the Land Rover and drive off.
I walked into the house to see Dad already asleep on the couch. The glass was still broken on the floor and I leaned down, picking it up piece by piece before I cleaned up the puddle of blood then threw out the blanket I had wrapped around the wound. I got an old quilt out of the closet in the hall way and covered Dad up. I turned the TV off and let out a loud sigh. I needed to study more, but I was too tired. I decided to go with the theory, anything I didn't know, I wasn't going to learn tonight. Besides, now I was going to have to prepare myself for Dad's visit into society.
AVA'S POV
"Amber Marie Medford," Mr. Roland, the Forks High School principal, announced.
"Bitch," Claire said under her breath as the most stuck up person in the graduating class of Forks High School walked across the stage.
"Would it be bad to wish she'd fall on her face?" I asked. I really did wish she'd fall on her face, especially after I'd caught her eyeing Scar like a piece of meat on First Beach after some of the Forks kids thought it'd be fun to have a bonfire near the same place a few of us La Push kids were having our own get together. Oh, yeah, I was a Forks kid. I didn't really consider myself that, though. Claire didn't either. We were La Push kids that just happened to go to school in Forks.
"You're up, Miss Munholland," Mrs. Nowata, the school secretary said, pulling Claire forward.
"Claire Elizabeth Munholland," Mr. Roland said as my friend walked across the stage to accept her diploma. It wasn't hard to know where our families were sitting either because the moment Claire's high heeled foot hit the stage, a loud thunderous commotion erupted from the first few rows of the audience, tall, buff, muscled Native American men making up about 50% of the noise.
"Way to go, Claire-bear!" the biggest smile, the most noise, the most pride came from Quil as he stood up and hooped and hollered. "I'm so proud of you, Baby!" I couldn't help but giggle. Quil was one of the manliest men I knew but he could melt at the sight of his Claire-bear. Damn imprint…
"Ava," Mrs. Nowata smiled and ushered me forward. I moved to the stage.
"Ava Caroline O'Brien," Mr. Roland spoke and my smile got bigger as the same thunderous applause that had greeted Claire led me across the stage too.
Mr. Porum, the superintendent, shook my hand and handed me the rolled up piece of paper. "You seem to have quite the crowd, Miss O'Brien."
"Just my family," I smiled, looking out at them to see Seth holding Ashley up, all of them clapping and Abby wiping a few tears from her cheek. Scar sat next to her, dressed in a shirt and tie that Nessie had taken him to get a few days ago. He looked like an absolute god and I was so proud to have him with my family. Aunt Tess and Uncle Rob applauded and even Jake and Nessie cheered like I was somehow biologically related to them.
I sat through a slide show someone had put together for the class and turned back to look at Scar when our prom picture was displayed for everyone to see. It was probably a more intimate pose than it should've been, Scar's arm around me with my head on his chest, dancing. Only I could make "Prom in Oz" an eye-fuck fest. There were a few other pictures of Claire and me included but, in my opinion, the best picture in the whole show was the picture of Scar and me.
As soon as the ceremony was over, the diploma's passed out and the mortarboards thrown with no eyes poked out by the damn hats, Abby's arms were around me faster than you could say 'graduation.' "I'm so, so proud of you, Ava," she sobbed, hugging me tight.
"Thanks, Abby," I hugged back and hoped I could put half the love I felt for my sister in that hug. She really had been more than any of us deserved, saving us from separation and being a mother when we needed one and a friend when we needed that too. As much hell as I put her through, I knew I was lucky to have her.
"Ava! Look how you look all dressed up!" Ashley squealed and jumped up on me until I pulled her up to sit on my hip. "I love yellow! It's my favorite color!" She pulled on my graduation gown and I sat her down on her feet. It was actually funny that she liked it because I hated the putrid mustard-vomit colored polyester fabric concoction.
"Thank you," I kissed her cheek while she giggled. "Where's my nephew?" I asked just as Sue walked up to us, Liam in her arms. "There's the most handsome boy I know." I reached out and Sue put him in my hands.
"I thought that was me?" Scar walked up and even though he was joking, I seriously did think he was the most handsome thing I'd ever seen in my life.
"Yeah, sure," I scoffed. I knew I was blushing but I looked down and prayed he didn't see it.
"Here, Quil's going to take our picture," Seth chuckled, taking Liam from me.
I stood in the middle, Ashley beside me on one side, Abby on the other with Seth next to her and then, behind Ashley, the last of my family, Scar. I smiled looking at him while he smiled back. It was perfect and I knew it would be the first picture to grace the walls of our condo.
After my graduation and the flashbulbs of the pictures, it was time to head to La Push for Scar's graduation. It was a smaller affair than Forks' but I was completely jealous of the black cap and gown Scar got to wear. The ceremony was held in the Quileute Tribal Center and I straightened out my grey dress before I sat down. I looked around and saw a few familiar places but there was one face I was looking for, one that I'd never seen before but I was sure I would know if I saw.
"Seth went to get him," Abby said, slightly bouncing Liam.
I cocked my head and looked at my sister. "Who?"
"You know who. He'll be here in a minute," she grinned.
"How did you know who I was looking for?"
"I just know. I'm the big sister, I get paid to know those things," Abby winked. "They're here anyway so you can relax." She nodded towards the door of the crowded Tribal Center, and sure enough, Seth stood helping a middle aged man into the center. He looked up and smiled at us before bringing the man over to our seats.
"Have a seat, Mr. Monroe," Seth helped him sit down before Jake came over and started talking to him. The man was dressed in a suit with a bandaged hand. He was tall and looking at him, I could see where Scar got his general looks. He was a handsome man, and I couldn't stop looking. One by one, the wolves introduced themselves to the man I knew was Scar's dad. I was watching him so intently and just as I got up to introduce myself, the loud recording of Pomp and Circumstance started and I sighed in defeat.
The La Push ceremony was much quicker than ours, but it felt more personal. The principal told a personal story for each graduate. I was kinda a little jealous, other than the fact that Scar got to wear a black cap and gown and I was forced to wear pukey yellow. Our principal had to be told how to pronounce our names in advance and here this dude knew every student and had something amazing to tell about them. He talked about how one of the students spent the whole school year working with his father to build a handcarved canoe, and how another had started her own charity collecting stuffed animals for tribal foster children. Then came my favorite story. It was about a young man that had been failing almost every class, missed school at least once a week, and then did a complete turnaround, graduating third in his class and was going to college to major in automotive engineering. My Scar…well, he wasn't my Scar, but I don't know. Even if he wasn't, he was. He was so much a part of me and my life and I loved him…like really, really loved him. In a way that one friend shouldn't love another.
"Look, Ave!" Ashley hopped in my lap and pointed to the stage where Scar was waiting for his name to be called.
"Oscar Alexander Monroe," the tiny woman at the microphone announced as Scar straightened up and walked across the stage to shake the hand of the principal. He looked proud and strong like he always did but for once, he looked confident. I turned to look at his Dad who had a huge smile on his face and, I swear, watery eyes. I'd never heard Scar say much about his Dad that was anything but bitter and I understood it, I got it. I would be pissed too if my sister had died, my Mom left, and the only thing I had to love me and guide me checked out of life and into a bottle. He didn't think I knew that his Dad was alcoholic but I did. I had heard things, things that Claire said as an afterthought, but I heard them and I knew. I guess that's one of the reasons I was intrigued to see him and try to understand.
I turned my attention back to Scar and watched his fine ass walk back to his seat. He had a slight smile on his lips and the tingling sensation between my legs was no bueno for the middle of a graduation ceremony. I seemed to keep getting distracted, this time just looking at Scar, in his cap and gown and suit, wanting to take it all off him and have my way with him.
"Why are you sweating so much?" Ash asked beside me. I ran my hand over my heavily moist brow and sighed. Talk about being hot and bothered. I tended to sweat a lot when I was turned on or when I was stressed. I was going to say that at the moment, I was stressed. Right?
"Gavin Peter Sinclair," Mr. Roland announced,
"Lil' G's name is Gavin?" Abby said, hiding a chuckled.
I could hear other voices around me, mainly the principal's, but I couldn't stop staring at Scar. I really was so proud of him, in so many ways, and even though I knew we'd never get to be together, I couldn't help but imagine a life where we could. He'd work with cars or motorbikes and I'd own my own bakery/café. I could almost see us sitting on the couch with a baby in my arms. It was perfect, too perfect for fate, I guess.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the La Push High School graduating class…" the principal kept speaking but the sound of a thunderous applause drowned him out. One by one the graduates stood up while the applause lulled through the tribal center and the caps came off then found their way into the air. Everything was bit chaotic as people looked around for their graduate. But I knew right where mine was, my eyes hadn't left him. Even when I was daydreaming, it was him that I watched.
"Congratulations, Cowboy," I smiled as he walked towards us. I don't really know why I called him "cowboy," it just seemed right for him. He was rugged and tough and hardworking, just like the cowboys of old.
"Thanks," Scar said shyly. "I feel like an idiot in this dumb get up." He raked his hand up and down to display his graduation garb.
"Nah, it's cool. It suits you, all smart and cool," I joked, jabbing at him until he pulled me into a hug. His arms were always so warm and I found myself closing my eyes to savor the connection between us.
"There's my boy," a deep, scratchy voice said from behind me.
"Hey, Dad," Scar gave the man a bit of a nod.
"Oh no, you don't! Get over here and give me a hug. You may be a grownup now but you're still my son," the man said, pulling Scar completely away from me to hug him.
"Thanks," Scar sighed a little as he hugged the man then pulled away. Scar's father was smiling brighter than I had ever seen anyone smile and it made me feel guilty for having such harsh feelings towards him. "Oh," Scar put his hand out for me and I took it. "This is Ava O'Brien, my best friend. Her sister is married to Dr. Clearwater."
"Yeah, but don't hold that against me," I smirked, totally kidding, and Seth chuckled from next to us. "It's very nice to finally meet you," I put my hand out to shake.
"And you. I swear my son spends more time with you than anyone else and I don't know where his manners are, waiting until now to introduce you."
"Well, sorry," Scar sighed and pulled me closer into his side. "You've met now so we're all good, right?"
Both Scar's dad and I looked at him, an innocent grin on his face. "Sure, sure," I chuckled, eliciting a laugh from Jake who was standing with Nessie and Griffin by Abby and Seth. "Mr. Monroe, you're coming to dinner, right? It's nothing big, just a get together of the pa—our friends." I stopped myself before I blew it. Sometimes it was hard for me to remember that not everyone's families were privy to the pack secret. I like to think that besides being Scar's best friend, I was just the epitome of awesomeness and therefore was allowed to know.
"Yes, if that's still okay?" he asked like a question, looking up at Scar. I could tell he was seeking approval, something typical of a child, not an adult.
"Of course," Scar nodded. "But, we'll have to see if you can ride with Abby and Seth or Jake and Ness because I'm on my bike." Oh, yes. The Bike, the bike that makes me have all kinds of unrealistic, tantric, erotic, animalistic fantasies. It was also Scar's pride and joy. He took better care of that bike than some do a puppy.
"He can ride with us," Nessie smiled.
"Then it's settled," I said. "Your Dad will ride with Ness and Jake and I'll ride with you."
Scar raised his eyebrow. "You'll ride with me, eh?"
I looked at him, pretending to be hurt. "What? You don't want me to? You want me to walk?"
"Heavens, no! I just wasn't sure you'd wanna have to straddle anything in that dress," he said, pointing at my grey dress. I don't think he meant anything sexual by it, but I heard every innuendo imaginable and my heart sped up and my legs tingled. "Not to mention those heels. How you women walk in them, I'll never understand." He shook his head.
"Whatever," I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand. "See you at the house, Abbs!" I pulled on Scar to leave and listened to Jake and Seth cackle behind me. "You guys are worse than women!" I yelled back at them as we crossed the threshold of the tribal center.
Scar's bike was parked under the awning and the sun danced on the blue paint. I watched him while he took out the extra helmet and handed it to me. I crinkled my nose, knowing how it was going turn my hair into a rats' nest. "It's the law, Ava," he shook his head at me while I reluctantly put it on. He hopped on the bike and moved the kickstand, starting the engine and holding his hand out. "Hop on, Princess."
I gave him the most seductive smile, though I doubted he could the sensual undertone. "Anything you say, Cowboy." I lifted myself up on the bike and wrapped my arms around his middle.
"Hold on tight," he smirked. "Don't let go."
"I won't," I smiled back. I wouldn't, I wouldn't let go. No matter what, I would hold onto Scar, even without imprinting or a relationship other than friendship. I knew, as long as I lived, I would never love anyone as much as I loved Oscar Monroe.
Second AN: Please review! Thank you!