Chapter XII
In which the guys get some help.
Amelia's POV
I ran into the camper and slammed the door, then into my little bedroom, slamming that door as well. As soon as I shut it, I screamed at the top of my lungs. Which was pretty loud and very high pitched. My mother always said I should try out for horror films because I could be the 'screamer' as she called it. I smiled wryly for a moment before plopping down on the bed and burying myself in blankets. This I did for two reasons. One, I was attempting to hide, as lame of a hiding place it was. And two, I was cold now that I was away from Jacob.
Jacob. I slept on Jacob. On JACOB! Holy. Shit.
The mischievous side of me was giddy about it. I mean, I just slept on top of an extremely gorgeous man that I was defiantly developing a 'thing' for. And I was wearing this teensy tinesy night dress, and he nothing but shorts. And he had said that he was comfortable too. He even tried to keep me there with him when I tried to get up. I grinned.
But another side of me was terrified. I mean, like I said, we were wearing practically nothing. And I know what men are like.
I heard the door open and close, and I felt weight being put on the end of the bed. The weight moved up to where I was, and Harper pulled back the blankets from my face and smiled at me. I glared at her.
"Awe come on Mia. You have to tell me everything. How you guys ended up out there like that and everything. Come on! Please, please, please, please, please with sugar on top?" she begged. I rolled my eyes and sat up to face her.
I told her everything that happened last night. From not being able to sleep all the way to Jacob's promise.
"And he promised that he'd always keep whatever promise he makes me." I said, sighing happily.
"Awe that's so cute." Harper cooed. I nodded my head in agreement. "That is so not fair. You had a hot guy keeping you warm last night and I had a lousy comforter." Harper whined.
"First of all, don't diss my comforter. Second, I'm sure Embry would love to keep you warm tonight if you want him to. And third, I thought you didn't know what to think about them." I listed. Harper sighed and looked away for a moment. When she looked back at me she looked like she was very out of place.
"I took your advice and I stopped trying to rationalize everything. I can't guarantee this is an all the time thing now for me, far from it. But in this case it's best. I trust Embry and Jacob. And I believe them. Besides I told you my theory already on why everything is so strong and so sudden. It's got to be that imprinting thing they talked about." Harper said. The look on her face was priceless. She looked as though she was speaking in a foreign language. I could tell she believed what she was saying, but was having trouble accepting that as her belief at the same time.
I smiled at her. "Well that's great Harp." I said pulling the blanket up around me. It was pretty chilly. I looked up and saw Harper eyeing the blanket too.
"Would you like some of my lousy comforter?" I asked. She grinned and nodded.
"I think we should check to make sure we didn't turn the air conditioner on in here. It's pretty chilly." She said snuggling up. I nodded in agreement. "So are we going to go out there or are we going to leave the boys to fend for themselves?" Harper asked.
"I don't think I want to go out there right now." I said
"Why's that?"
"I slept on top of Jacob!" I said, and I could feel the blood rush to my face. Harper giggled.
"So? He didn't seem to mind."
"I feel like a hypocrite though." I told her.
"A hypocrite?"
"If I have such a problem with guys looking at me, after what happened with that audition I went to. Then why should I be excited that he was close to me and looked at me in this teeny tiny night gown?" I asked,
"Mia," Harper said shaking her head. "You look at him too. It's different when it's mutual. What that bastard wanted wasn't mutual and it was unethical. But the fact that you are attracted to someone and that you are happy they are attracted to you as well isn't hypocrisy. It's human nature." She told me going all 'therapist' on me. "Trust me, this is my area of expertise. It's upsetting when you are looked at when it's inappropriate, but exciting when you are looked at by a hot guy when it's at the right time."
"I guess. But what if that's all he's interested in."
"I already told you, that's not what all guys are solely after. Just that bastard. Don't lose confidence over a shmuck."
"Alright, alright!" I said. "Therapy session over, I'll see you next week." I joked. Harper laughed and pushed my shoulder playfully.
"Well time to put some clothing on I think." She said.
"Speaking of clothing," I said, standing up and walking over toward the mini dresser. "What about the guys. They can't stay in those shorts for, however long they're going to be here."
"You've got a point there. But it's not like any of our stuff is going to fit them. Although I think I have some big tee shirts, my mom practically forced me to bring them.
"She was over while I was packing." She explained when I raised my eyebrows.
"Ok what about pants? We don't have any that will fit them." I said as I pulled out my favorite cami and put in on.
"Well can't you make some for them? You make costumes all the time." Harper said tossing me my sweater and jeans.
"Yeah, when I have my sewing supplies. I guess they'll have just deal with their shorts then huh?" I said.
"Right." Harper said frowning. "Well now the important question." She said in a serious tone.
"And what question is that?" I asked.
"What should I wear today?"
I laughed and opened the door. I walked over to Harper's 'room' and looked through her dresser. I pulled out a pair of dark jeans and a red tank top and a grey sweater. I went back into my 'room' to find Harper sitting on my bed smiling. I threw the clothes at her face. "Get dressed." I ordered her. She gave me a sarcastic salute and changed into her clothes.
We were coming out of the room just as the boys were coming into the camper.
"So who wants to make breakfast?" Harper asked.
"I can." Embry volunteered. "What do you want?"
"Well we have eggs, cereal, pancake mix, and bread if you want French toast or regular toast." I explained.
"Alright what do you girls want then? You have generously allowed us to stay here, the least we can do is cook you your own food." Embry said.
"Well French toast sounds good, if you're ok with that." I said.
"French toast sounds perfect." Jacob said, smiling at me. I blushed but I grinned right back at him.
Harper went into the cabinets and got out the bread, cinnamon, and vanilla; while I got the milk and eggs from the fridge. We set them on the counter and went over to sit on the couch.
"What's the cinnamon for?" Jacob asked holding it up.
"It makes it better." Harper said. "I love cinnamon."
"I love it too." Embry said, looking at Harper and smiling. He grabbed the cinnamon from Jacob's hand and placed it back on the counter. He had the goofiest expression on his face as he did so, like there was something fascinating about cinnamon. They got to work making the French toast.
Harper and I sat watching them. We all talked and laughed easily together. It seemed to come naturally. When the boys would bicker about something, Harper or I would comment on how they acted like an old married couple. Jacob and my sleeping arrangements last night seemed to have become a joke between us too. I wasn't embarrassed anymore and it was easier to laugh than to be self conscious. Although Jacob seemed to be getting the butt of the jokes on that anyway.
"Well Jake turn in your apron now. You're a terrible cook. But you've already got a new career started; you make a decent bed from what I hear." Embry laughed. Jacob just flipped him off.
After a while I realized it was taking an awful long time to make the French toast. I got up and saw that they had a huge stack on a plate. They seemed to have gone through 2 loaves of bread and were still cooking.
"Jesus! Harper I don't think we're going to be out here as long as you thought. We'll be out of food by next week." I said.
"That's alright I guess. There's a town about 2 hours from here that we can go restock at." Harper said shrugging. I shook my head. Jacob and Embry both looked a little embarrassed.
"Well why don't we go out to the table and eat?" I suggested. Everyone agreed and we headed out to the picnic table outside.
After we all finished eating, which considering the amount the boys both ate, took a fairly short amount of time, we talked for a few more minutes about nothing of consequence.
"Harper, Do you want to go for a walk?" I looked up when I realized it wasn't Embry asking her, it was Jacob. I glanced at Harper who looked a little confused and even slightly disappointed.
"Um, yeah I guess." She said looking at me questioningly. I shrugged at her. Jacob stood up and Harper fallowed. They walked off into the trees, Harper glancing back at me every once in a while.
My stomach felt like I had just ridden the Giant Drop at Six Flags. It took me a minute to realize why I felt angry and sick at the same time. Jealousy coursed through me. As I stared at the place where Jacob and Harper disappeared into the trees.
"Mia?" Embry called to me.
"Yeah." I answered him dejectedly.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure Embry." I said looking over at him finally.
"Do you think if I asked Harper on a date-like outing she'd agree?" He asked tentatively.
I looked at him for a moment before answering. "Yes she would. I think she really likes you." Actually I knew she did, but still. "She'd defiantly agree. What did you have in mind for this date-like outing?" I asked. Probably a little less interested than I would have been, if I wasn't feeling rejected and jealous at the moment.
"Well that's what I wanted to talk to you about. What do you think she'd enjoy?"
"I don't know. There's not much to do out here is there? She'd probably enjoy a picnic and a walk through the trees." I told him.
"Would you be willing to help me get ready? You know, get some stuff together and all that jazz?"
"Yes, I can help you Embry." I said smiling. "Although, she's already on a walk through the trees with Jacob. So she might not want to go on another one." I said sourly. Embry raised his eyebrows at me. I reacted my mimicking his expression.
"Jealous are we?" He asked in a knowing voice.
"No." I lied. I applauded the fact that it sounded like the truth. Once again thanking my theater experience. Embry however just raised his eyebrows higher.
"What?" I asked.
"You're very good at that. I'm impressed." He said, his voice cocky.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're an actress right?" He hedged.
"Yeah, so?"
"I'm impressed with your skills. You're a fabulous actress, I didn't hear a false note in that lie." He said smirking.
"What lie?" I asked in an innocent voice.
"I know for a fact that you are jealous. You can deny it all you want, it doesn't make it any less true." He said serenely.
"I'm not jealous. If they want to go for a walk together I don't care." My voice still perfectly nonchalant.
"Like I said, you're very good at that. Not a false note or a hint of deception in your voice or expression. Too bad your eyes give it away to those who look close enough." He said still smirking.
I threw my empty cup at him and he dodged it laughing.
"Fine!" I huffed. "I'm a little jealous. So what?"
"I think it's cute that you're jealous. Jacob would be pleased to hear it."
"I doubt it. He'll be too busy walking with Harper to care." I said sourly. "Hey! Why aren't you jealous? You're the one who wants to ask her on a date. Aren't you worried about her being off with Jacob?"
Embry laughed. "No. I know why he asked her to go with him. I'm not worried. Besides I also know he has a thing for another girl, so I'm completely fine." He said.
"Oh." I said lowering my head sadly. And to think I thought I might have had a chance with him. This girl he liked was probably as gorgeous as he is. "Well that's good does she like him back?" I asked, cruelly hoping the answer was no.
"As far as I can tell, Yes. Majorly."
Damn. There goes that hope. "Well why is it that he wanted to talk to Harper then?"
"That I can't tell you. Sorry my dear, but that would ruin all the fun." He said happily.
"Fine be that way."
"I will."
Harper's POV
I took one last glance at Mia before she was blocked from view by a tree.
"So…." Jacob started.
"So…" I repeated.
"So, I was wondering if I maybe asked Mia on like a date type thing , like do you think she'd say yes?" He asked nervously.
I laughed at him. "Dude she slept with you last night, she'll go on a date with you."
"Really?" he questioned excitedly.
"Yes." I said showing him how obvious it was.
"So what do you think she'd like to do out here?" He asked gesturing the trees around him.
"Well… let's see. She's not really a nature person. She likes to look at it, and she thinks it's beautiful, but she doesn't really like being out in it. Unless it's water. She loves water.
"Hey! There's a river over in the other direction. You could take her there. I don't actually know what you could do, it's pretty chilly, but you could just sit by the water, star gaze if you do it in the evening, and just relax, if the waters warm enough you could get in." I told him, thinking as I spoke. I did that a lot. Just kept talking as I went until I reached a conclusion. It was actually a habit I picked up from Mia.
Jacob nodded looking thoughtful. "Ok. You sure she'll go with me though? I'm afraid she'll be too cautious of a repeat of this morning that she won't go for it."
"Yes she'll go with you. She really wasn't mad. Just confused." I explained.
"Confused about what?" Jacob asked.
"Oh nothing really. Just the after math of an incident. Don't worry about it, I'm working on it." I told him, it wasn't my business to explain further.
He narrowed his eyes and stared at me for a second. Then he shrugged and smiled. "A river?" he checked.
"A river." I said nodding. "Now if that's all, let's get back before Mia starts telling Embry embarrassing stories about me."
"Wait, will you help me make sure everything is perfect?" Jacob asked, jutting out his lower lip slightly.
"That lip thing may work on Mia, but not me. But even so, yes, i will help you."
"Sounds like a plan."
AN: Well what do you think? The next chapter may take a while. I have some big plans for those dates smirks actually i have some big plans for a little later in the story too...
To any guys reading this... if there are any.. i don't know... but anyway if there are... I do actually suggest doing this. NO ONE knows a girl better then her best friend. If you need help picking out a gift or planning something, go to the Best Friend they are the ultimate guru when it comes to a girl.
Anyway, schools starting up again soon pouts so things might get a little hectic our Finals are next week, which is better than two weeks ago which is when i thought they were, it was a blonde moment, but yeah. My teachers aren't ones to pile on HW but you never know so don't hate me if i don't get updates up as soon as I'd like to. I'd also like to formally apologize to all those Authors i have pestered for updates when they were busy having lives because iI now understand.
Well... REVIEW PLEASE!!! I do love to know what you all think!
Much love, Bridget