Chapter 9

Embry's P.O.V.

Madaline was with Barty... I could feel it, my wolf could feel it. She was released from the Hospital Wing a few days ago, and I haven't seen her in class of the Common Room. She knows about the imprint, but I get the feeling that she doesn't care. Maybe I should just move on...

"Embry!"

"Huh?" I was brought out of my thoughts.

"Where's your mind?"Arianna asked me, "You're so out of it... is it Madaline?"

I nodded and ran my hand over my face, "Yeah..."

"I'm sure she's okay, Embry... Stop worrying so much."

I sighed as I sunk further in the couch, "I'm just tired of waiting for her..."

Arianna looked up from her textbook, "Then why are you? I understand that she's your imprint, but it's killing you to wait for her to accept that fact."

I looked at her, "What do you suggest I do, Arianna?"

"First things first..." She closed her book, "you need to ask someone to the Halloween Rave."

My eyes widened and I sat up quickly, "Not Pansy!"

Arianna made a face, "Eww, no..." She thought for a moment, "What about Millicent?"

I remembered her, Pansy friend... she seemed sweet enough. I could go to the Rave with her, forget about Madaline... until I see her.

My face fell, "Isn't Madaline supposed to be preforming at the Rave?"

She sighed, "Yeah... but I guess you'll have to deal, ya know?"

I nodded, "Yeah..."

"Embry?"

"Hmm?"

"How do you know when you're in love?"

I looked up at Arianna, but she was looking towards the fireplace, "Why do you ask?"

She sighed deeply, but kept her eyes towards the fireplace, "Remember that girl with the white streaks in her hair? Caroline?"

"The one I walked in on you making out with?"

"Snogging, and yes... her."

"What about her?"

"I think I might be in love with her..."

"You might be?"

"Yeah, I just can't tell... I mean-" She sighed, "I don't know..."

I put my arm around her shoulders in a friendly embrace as she rested her head on my shoulder, "I don't know, Arianna..."

Arianna scoffed, "How can you tell that you're in love with Madaline for her, and not some imprint?"

I was silent as I thought about it... How do I know that I'm in love with Madaline for her, and not some imprint bond?

I sighed, "Can you give me time to think about it?"

Arianna scoffed, lightly, "If you do truly love her, you shouldn't have to think about it, Embry."

She wasn't trying to be snarky... she was right. If I truly did love Madaline, then I shouldn't have to think of the reasons I love her so much. I should be able to rattle off the reasons straight away...

"Her eyes..." I told Arianna.

Arianna scoffed, again, "Typical guy answer... you've got to put some feeling, some emotion into it for me to believe that you really do love her." She sighed, softly, "Madaline is my best friend, Embry, so I'm not going to let you stake some wolfie claim on her without you not having completely pure emotions and intentions towards her."

I nodded and continued to rattle on, not even having to think about what to add to my previous statement, "Her eyes have to be the most pure crystal blue I've ever seen. They're vibrant, but I can tell that she's seen things... things that have captivated her, trapped her, enthralled her, and frightened her. She's seen things... things we may never understand, and it's made her the girl she is, now. She's not a bitch, she can be a hard ass... but she's loyal and strong, and that's what makes her a fighter. Her talents and beauty just add to her disposition... and that's why I love her."

Arianna curled into my side even more and I could feel her smile, "That's the kind of answer I was looking for..."

I smiled, softly, "I think I was, too..."

Arianna wrapped her arms around my waist as she sighed, "If I was straight, I would date you in a heartbeat, Embry... you're every straight girl's dream."

I laughed a little, "Whatever you say, Arianna..."

The Next Morning

I was sitting at my usual spot at breakfast, in the Great Hall, and eyed Madaline's empty spot as I ate. Heaven and Paul were wrapped up in each other and Arianna was in bed with a fever, so I was pretty much alone since houses didn't dare to mingle at meals. I jumped a little when I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see a girl with pale skin, medium brown, tight, curls that just brushed the tops of her shoulders, pastel pink lips, and the brightest, evergreen, green eyes.

She gave me a small smile, "Mind if I sit with you?"

I shook my head, "No... I don't mind."

She smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear, shyly, "I'm Grace Noble..."

"I'm E-"

"Embry Call, I know..." Her cheeks tinged a beautiful magenta color as she cast her eyes down from my gaze, "We have Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Divination together."

"Really?"

She nodded, "Yeah... and, to be honest, I kind of like you." I just stayed silent to hear what she had to say, "I know we don't really know each other, but that's what dating is for, right? To get to know one another?" She met my eyes, "What I'm trying to ask is... Will you go out with me?"

I pursed my lips together and thought about it. I guess it wouldn't hurt to date someone other than Madaline... and Grace is pretty cute. I need to let Madaline go, let her be with who she loves and find someone that makes me happy. It wouldn't hurt to try...

"Sure..." I nodded, "Why not?"

She looked a little taken aback, "Really? I thought you were into Madaline..."

"I was..." I looked over at Arianna's empty spot, then back at Grace, "Until a friend gave me some great advice."

"What was this great advice?"

"In a nutshell... do what makes you happy."

"You think you'll be happy with me?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Only time will tell..."

Grace smiled, "I guess so..."

Grace and I spent the rest of breakfast talking and getting to know each other a little better. I found out that Grace is a sixth year, like me, and that she has a little sister named Camille in Ravenclaw, she's a fourth year. I also found out that Grace plays the violin and piano, and can sing, but doesn't think she's very good. Grace was very sweet, and I felt like I liked the girl I was seeing, right now. When it was time to go to class, we had first hour together, so we walked with each other. As soon as we stood up, I held her hand and she blushed as she smiled at me. I could hear the whispers from people in the halls, but I ignored them. It's time I did something that made me happy, for once...

One Week Later

It was two in the morning and Grace was in bed, along with every other student in Hogwarts, except Arianna. I went down into the Common Room and saw Arianna sitting on a couch, a box of cookies on her lap and two glasses of warm Butter beer on the table in front of her. I smiled when I saw her, but then I noticed that her face was red and wet with tears.

I sat next to her and she fell onto my chest, crying, "Embry..."

I wrapped my arms around her, "Hey... what happened?"

"Pansy happened..."

I already didn't like the sound of this... "What did she do?"

Arianna sniffled, "She's going to out Caroline..."

"How? What happened?"

"I was down here with Caroline, just spending time together and helping her get comfortable with the idea of us dating, like I have been." She sniffled, "And Pansy came around the corner with a camera and took a picture of me and Caroline in the middle of snogging... Caroline was mortified. Pansy teased her, cruely, and made her run out of the Common Room and into the halls of the school, telling me that we could never see each other again. Pansy told me that she was going to make many copies of the picture and have them circulate the whole school if I didn't convince you to sleep with her..."

I sighed, deeply, "She is so... despicable!"

"I know and I would never ask you to do such a thing for my benefit. I do love Caroline, but... I care about you as well. I'm conflicted..."

I thought a moment, then sat Arianna up to look at me, "I have an idea..."

She looked a little more hopeful, "You do?"

I nodded, "And I'm sure it'll put Pansy in her place... for good."

At Breakfast

Arianna and I explained to all the people involved in our plan how this was going to work, and they all agreed... even Grace. Even though Grace is one of the nicest and gentlest people you'll meet, she was all for putting Pansy in her place. Once Pansy sat down in her spot, it was time for the plan to be put into action...

Arianna pulled out two notes from her bag and gave them to me, "Here..."

One said:

Meet me in the broom cupboard on the third floor, it's time we had some fun. Meet me after breakfast...

-Embry

The other said:

I've had my eye on you for a while, now. Meet me in the broom cupboard on the third floor, after breakfast.

-Pansy

Grace and I grinned knowingly at each other, then I got up and walked over to Pansy. I sat down next to her and made her jump a little as I ran my hand up her thigh, under her skirt. She turned her head towards me and I took my hand out from under her skirt, brushing back her hair and pressing my lips against her neck, softly and slowly. I could hear her moan, softly, as I wrapped an arm around her waist and slipped one note into her pocket as I disguised it as running my thumb along the outside of her breast.

"If you want more..." I whispered in her ear as I held the other note in front of her face, "... you know where to find me."

Pansy took the note from me and got up to leave, just as expected. When Pansy passed her, Grace stood up and followed behind her as if she was just heading out of the Great Hall. Arianna used her wand to make the note I slipped in Pansy's pocket fall, at the right time and Grace picked it up and read the name aloud.

"Brandon?"

A brown haired, freckled faced kid with glasses turned around, "Yes?" He saw that it was Grace, "Oh, hey, Grace..."

Grace smiled, "Hey... I think this is for you, it dropped out of Pansy's pocket."

Grace walked out of the Great Hall after giving Brandon the note, then Arianna grabbed Caroline before making an exit as well. I stood up and started to leave, following after Brandon. Everyone met up outside the Great Hall and Brandon headed up to the broom cupboard as the rest of us went over the plan one more time. Once everything was set into place, we made our way up to the broom cupboard and could hear Brandon and Pansy inside the cupboard, making out. I grabbed the door handle and counted to three on my fingers as Arianna readied her camera. I swung the door open and Arianna quickly snapped a picture...

"What the-" Pansy stopped short and her eyes widened when she saw me, then she slowly turned to see who she was truly kissing, "Eww!"

Brandon left her in the cupboard and stood by me as I crossed my arms, "Wow... I never would've guessed."

"Embry, I swear, I thought-"

"That it was me, I know... things can get pretty dark in a closet, can't they?" I smirked, "You've been set up, and now you're on the receiving end of blackmail."

"You wouldn't..."

"Oh, no, I wouldn't..." I gestured towards everybody else, "and neither would they, because we would never stoop down to your level, Pansy." She just scowled and I turned my head towards Caroline as I kept my eyes on Pansy, "Tell Pansy what you told us, Caroline..."

Caroline spoke up, "I'm coming clean about being involved with Arianna, so you have nothing to blackmail with, now."

I took the camera from Arianna and shoved it into Pansy's chest, "Keep it..." She held it and I backed away from her, "I would never and will never sleep with you, Pansy, so just quit while you're ahead. Leave my friends and I alone..."

I turned towards Grace and she smiled up at me as she spoke, "You're so amazing... I'm glad you're my boyfriend."

I smiled, "It's high time I started doing things that make me happy..." I rest my forehead against her's, "... that make you happy."

We could hear Pansy being Pansy, "Happy? You'll never be happy unless you have Madaline, and she will never choose you, dog! You're lucky that I even wanted you!"

We heard the sound of a punch and turned to see Caroline rubbing her fist as she smiled, "That felt good..."

Grace turned my head towards her, "Embry?"

I sighed as I lowered my eyes in shame, "I'm sorry, Grace..."

"Hey..." I looked into her eyes, "I know you still love Madaline, but there is such a thing as loving more than one person in a lifetime. It'll take time... but I'll show you that you can be happy without Madaline, too."

I kissed her for the first time, then rest my head back against her forehead, "I'm ready to try..."

Author's Note: Sorry for the long update, I've been super busy! I will try and update as soon as possible. Next chapter is from Madaline's p.o.v. so we'll see what's going on with her, and how she takes Grace and Embry being together, now. Review? :3