Chapter XIII
In which everyone makes preparations.
Harper's POV
I had hardly gotten a chance to talk to Mia or Embry all day. Jacob was freaking out, he was as bad a perfectionist as Mia it seemed and he wanted to 'make the right impression' or something like that and was quizzing me on Mia and having me help him get everything prepared for his date with Mia.
Jacob and I were standing by the river and I watched as he paced back and forth in front of the little set up he'd created. He had the blanket he'd slept on last night with Mia, laid out. On it were an ihome (battery operated), with my ipod. He had gone through and with my advice created a play list for the date. There were tons of pillows, and a pile of towels off to the side.
"You sure she'll like it?" He asked for the umpteenth time.
"Yes." I said exasperatedly. I knew she would like it. She'd think the whole thing was incredibly romantic. I sighed. "Jacob, it's perfect. Let's go back. You have to ask her first. Then I have to get her ready. Alrighty?"
"You're s-"
"If you ask me if I'm sure one more time I swear I will tell Mia that you're gay." Jacob stopped his question and gulped nervously. "I will tell you one more time, and I'll make it as simple as possible. She. Will. Like. It.
"Now Jacob. Before we go back would you care to explain to me where this fear of rejection came from?" I asked him. His behavior all day had told me this was why he was being so obsessive. I looked at me startled.
"What makes you think I have a fear of rejection?" He countered, frowning.
"Jacob, I'm a psychiatrist. My specialty may be reproductive therapy, but I was still trained in general psychology. It's totally obvious from your behavior that you do. Now tell me what's happened."
"It's nothing, really. There was just this, never mind. I didn't sign on for therapy. Now let's get back so I can actually ask Mia if she'll come. Besides I think Embry probably wants to see you." He said rather flatly. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Seriously dude. She'll love it. Stop worrying about it." I said calmly. "Now, we'll talk about this fear of yours later, right now I think we should get back."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Alright, let's go. And I don't need to talk about my 'fear'" he made finger quotes in the air as he said the word, "I know exactly what caused it and its just one of those lasting scars. I don't need to talk about it. Actually I prefer not to."
"Like you don't like talking about why you've had experience with nonstop running, or that alliance with the animal, what was it you called them, 'bloodsuckers'?" Jacob's posture stiffened slightly and he looked off over my head instead of at me. Oh yeah, that was it. They were all connected somehow. I just didn't know how. I had been watching both of them carefully looking for signs of delirium so I noticed the way he had reacted to Embry talking about that alliance, and when Mia asked him why he'd run before. It was exactly the same way he was acting now. A clear sign that I had hit the money. I'd let it go for now, but I knew it would be important. Especially if Mia liked him so much. It was important to know things like this, because they often could cause problems in a relationship, if they ever have a relationship. I'd seen it in action. "Right. Well, you can't fool me mister, I'm trained in this art. But we'll just deal with the issue at hand and that is going back and getting you a date."
He looked at me for a long moment, and took a deep breath. He sighed and smiled slightly taking one last look at the set up he'd created. "Let's do this thing!" He said.
I turned and started back toward the camp site. I was trying to figure out what it could be that made Jacob react the way he did. I couldn't think of why those three things could connect. I could connect two but not all three, and it was irritating.
"Where are Mia and Embry?" Jacob asked from beside me. We had gotten to the camp site and there was no sign of either one of our friends. Jacob's head snapped up to look at the trees on the farthest end of the campsite from the camper.
I could just make out the sound of laughter coming from the direction he was looking. Slowly the forms of Mia and Embry were visible. They came into the clearing laughing like lunatics. Jacob and I shared a glance and grinned at each other. Jacob cleared his throat loudly causing both Mia and Embry to look up. Their laughter calmed and Embry looked over at me and smiled shyly. I smiled back. Though I couldn't deny my jealousy at their companionship.
"What's so funny?" Jacob asked. I could see some of the jealousy I was feeling in his eyes. I smiled. At least I wasn't the only one.
Mia smiled up at him. "Embry was just telling me about the time you got arrested for indecent exposure." Mia laughed. Jacobs eyes went wide, and he shot a glare at Embry who just winked at him. Jacob flicked him off.
"For your information, I was not arrested. It was on a dare from Quil that I show my ass to the store clerk. I was twelve, and it's not like I was the first kid to moon her. Besides, it was just a strict talking to from Charlie, no jail involved." Jacob defended, looking deeply embarrassed. I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing.
"So what have you two been up to anyway? I've hardly had a chance to see you all day." I said looking at Mia pointedly.
"Oh nothing much. What about you and Jacob?" Mia asked her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Just some stuff. Nothing major." I said. Mia raised her eyebrows like she didn't believe me, but I just smiled back. I couldn't ruin the surprise.
Mia caught Jacob's eye. I watched as a smile spread across her face. I gave Jacob an "I told you so" look, but he didn't see. He was too busy watching Mia. I shook my head smiling and looked over at Embry. He cocked his head to the side smiling back.
"Harper can I talk to you?" He asked me.
"Um yeah." I said. Leaving Mia and Jacob to their moment.
"So I was wondering, if maybe, you would, like to spend the evening with me. Like on a date?" He asked excitedly.
"YES!! I would love to!" I exclaimed happily. I had been a little jealous that Mia was going to be getting an amazing night, but I thought that with Jacob and her occupied at least I'd get some time with Embry. But this was way better. "Wait," I hissed. "You two planned this didn't you? You both took us off to find out what we liked, didn't you?" I accused in a hushed tone, so Mia wouldn't hear. I didn't want the surprise to be ruined for her. Embry just smirked at me and bowed. I tried to pretend I was offended, but I couldn't, so I smirked back at him.
I heard Mia shriek, and I looked over to see her jumping up and down excitedly. I saw Jacob grinning from ear to ear with a relieved expression. I assumed that he asked her then, and that she'd said "yes" just as I knew she would.
I waved to Embry and rushed over to my best friend. She grabbed my hand as soon as it was within reach and we ran into the camper together; leaving the boys with bewildered looks on their faces.
When we got into the camper we both squealed in that ridiculously girly manner.
"Ok. Tell me everything." Mia demanded.
"What and ruin the surprise? I don't think so. I'll tell you some if you promise to return the favor." I replied.
"Duh. Now dish!" She said.
"Well, for one, make sure you wear your bathing suit under your clothes. I don't know if you'll actually get wet, but it's a major possibility." Mia nodded and I continued.
"Second, the poor boy has been running around like a maniac all day, driving me crazy I might add, to make sure everything was perfect. He seriously asked the question 'Are you sure she's going to like it?' at least twelve billion times." Mia's face looked like she wanted to make that 'awe' sound. Well at least she thinks it's cute. I was ready to have him strangled. "Also, just so you know he seems to have a major fear of rejection so tread carefully." Mia cocked her head to the side in question. "I read the signs. Seriously, classic case."
"Ok. Anything else?"
"Yeah. He's completely into you. Every time I mentioned you he got this goofy look on his face; like it made him ecstatic just to hear your name.
"Yeah that's the face!" I exclaimed as Mia's face broke into the same goofy look of ecstasy. "Ok now it's your turn."
"Well, Embry and I also spent all day preparing this evening for you. You're going to love it. I'm positive you'll have fun. I would suggest not wearing a skirt or shorts. Long pants are probably best. And not your favorite clothes either. I mean I don't actually know how it'll work but I'm positive you'll enjoy it." Mia told me all in one breath. Sometimes I was amazed that the lack of air didn't give her permanent brain damage when she was excited. "Alright! Let's get ready." She exclaimed rushing over to the bedrooms and pulling clothes out at top speed.
"Ok bathing suit, bathing suit…" Mia muttered to herself. She pulled out her suits and laid them out on the bed.
"how many suits did you bring?" I asked her incredulously.
"I brought like five or six." Ok, that was only a small fraction of the amount she owns that was good. "I wasn't sure which one I would want to wear at the time I was swimming or whatever, so a brought a variety." She turned and looked at me. She pointed to the bed and said, "Which one do you think?"
I looked at the swim suits on the bed. There were a couple one pieces in various colors and styles, and a few tankinis. I wasn't sure which one I though would be the best. I looked up at Mia to see her holding a sky blue bikini top. She made a face and threw it back into the drawer.
"Hold it!" I shouted. "Bring that one back out I think we have a winner."
"What? No. Come on that's that one that Sarah got me. The criss crossy one from Victoria's Secret. There's no way I'm wearing that."
"Why not? It'll drive Jacob crazy!" I exclaimed mischievously.
"Oh um, I don't know. Maybe because some people were not built for bikinis and I am one of them." She said sarcastically.
"Um how about, yeah you are. And that suit looks amazing on you. I remember when you tried it on. It looks great on you. Wear it."
"No"
"Wear it."
"NO!"
"Wear it or wear nothing, your choice." I said picking up her other suits off the bed and stuffing them in the front of my shirt.
"I'm not afraid to go in there and get them you know." She challenged, raised her eyebrows.
"I know. But that blue one is perfect. Wear it." I commanded.
Mia glared at me for a few seconds and then looked away stubbornly. "No." she said.
I turned and walked over to the door. I stuck my head out.
"Embry, can you come here for a second." I called.
"Sure." He said coming over. "What do you need?"
"Come in here I want your opinion." I told him.
I walked back over to where Mia was sitting on the bed, her arms crossed stubbornly. "We're trying to decide which bathing suit Mia should wear on her date with Jacob." I explained to him. He raised his eyebrows and I continued. "I thought that she should wear this amazingly gorgeous bikini." I said, reaching into the drawer and pulling it out. "But Mia doesn't think so. She seems to want to wear one of these one pieces." I said indicating the lump under my shirt.
Embry seemed to be trying very hard to not laugh. He took a few seconds before he turned to Mia. "I think Jacob would love to see you in a bikini. Actually, I doubt he'll care what you wear, but if you want to get to him. Go with the little blue thing. Harper seems to think it would be the best choice as well."
Mia glared at us for a few seconds. Then she mumbled something about looking like a blimp, and finally sighed. "If I wear it, I get to pick out your clothes Harper." She said innocently.
I gulped, but nodded. She always picked great stuff for me to wear anyway. And she wouldn't purposely make me look ridiculous as much as she may want to at times.
"Ok. Embry you are free to go so we can get ready." I said. I smiled at him warmly and winked at him. "Thanks for all your help, but we need girl time now. We will have to look good, because we have these two hot guys to impress." He laughed and left the camper. I turned back to Mia.
"Wear that white skirt over the suit with that pinkish top." I told her.
"Which pinkish top? The one with the flower?"
"No, the lower cut one."
"Why are you insisting on me looking like I'm desperate?"
"You won't look desperate. You'll look hot, there's a difference. Besides he's already seen you in practically nothing anyway, so it's not a big deal." She scowled at me and began to change into the outfit I picked out for her.
Mia did a little twirl when she was all changed. "Ok. Let's go get your clothes then we have to primp."
She walked over to my 'room' and began going through my clothes.
"Ok. So like I said, You're going to want to wear long pants. If I recall correctly, these jeans," she said tossing a pair of jeans at me, "make your ass look great."
I pulled off my pants and put on the ones she tossed at me. They were the only pair of jeans I owed that fit me this good. It seemed that the people who made most pants weren't aware that girls can be tall, with long lags, and skinny, but also with a butt. Buying jeans was always rather difficult for me.
"And how about this top. Red looks great on you, and it shows off your nice flat tummy." Mia said, tossing the top at me. I changed into it. and posed dramatically for her. She laughed at me and pulled me over to where the hair and make up supplies were.
"Ok. Not that I'm complaining because it's lucky we brought all this stuff, but why exactly did we bring all this stuff camping?" I asked giggling.
"Because we cannot survive without whether it's necessary or not." Mia answered simply.
"Fair point."
As we did our primping we talked about what we were thought the boys had in store for us. Both of us saying, "I don't know. Maybe. You'll just have to wait and find out." After every idea was aired.
"Ready?" Mia asked, forty-five minutes later.
"I guess." I said, getting slightly nervous now that it was time to go on this 'date'.
We held hands as we stepped out of the camper.
AN: OK I know that there wasn't much happeing in here, but I was setting up for those dates, and the main points were: I like clothes and so i wanted to put in the getting ready scene even though it wasn't very detailed. And Jacob's fear of Rejection. Oh and The Fact that Mia and Harper can totally understand eachother without mcuh needing to be spoked. Little movements and expressions and they know exactly what the other one is trying to say without words. I'm not sure if all that was accomplished but HEY! It works.
Now would you like to see each date as seperate chapters, or both in one chapter? Which one do you want first? What do you want to happen on these dates for each couple? Do you want the boys to tell them about neging their imprints then, or not yet? How about kissing? Hot make-out sessions or little pecks? I have my own plans but I'd like to know what you all would like to see.
Anyway, The next chapter will probably take a little while. But it will be posted as soon as i can get it down. This was actually supposed to be part of the chapter that included the dates, but I wanted to get something posted. So i figured the preperations could be its own chapter. I know there wasn't much going on, but it's a chapter. The next one should be loads better.
Review?
Much love, Bridget