I hope i got this up soon enough, i have been so busy with final exams and all that jazz to really focus on All the Time We'll Have. But good news! my two final exams are tomorrow and the day after so then I'm free to write as much as i can so yay! Also many authors put like a little chapter summary in the top before stories should i do that or would it be a total spoiler?
Chapter 12
I still have his sweater -Seth's sweater I mean the one that he gave me when I was cold. To be honest part of me has no intention of giving it back and another yells at me for being stupid over him. I still feel torn in two, one part of me telling to be happy with Seth and to trust myself with him and the other screaming at me for letting him in, convinced Seth is going to hurt me. I listened to the first one and its made all the difference, I mean sometimes on occasion I can feel that Seth is being secretive with me but ignore it because I don't know the whole story and even though we have an he-only-kisses-me-I-only-kiss-him rule we just don't know that much about each other, but I don't mind because I plan on getting to know him even if it is little by little because we have all the time in the world to get to know each other and I don't want to push myself on him. I don't mind waiting for him, seriously, like right now when I am leaning against my car waiting for him, Brady and Collin to finish their conversation.
We said we would meet each other by the main entrance when school was over, but when I got there Brady, Collin and Seth seemed deep in conversation. Seth immediately saw me and waved for me to come over and I did but after a while of awkward silence I told them I forgot my science binder from my locker and that I would wait for Seth in the parking lot. So now here I am and it looks like it's about to rain. Ugh it always rains here; there is not a single day when there isn't an ugly grey cloud.
"Fernanda!"
I turned around expecting to see Seth, instead I find two large tan boys hovering over me. I smile.
"Um hi Brady, Collin"
"Hiya, Fernanda...how do you spell your name?" Collin asked me with a friendly smile.
"F-E-R-N-A-N-D-A"
"So F-E-R-N... is okay if we call you Fern? Fernanda is kind of a mouthful and Fer sounds a little unnatural" Brady said with an equally friendly smile.
"Unnatural?" I ask a little confused.
"Well you see um, well our r' don't really roll that way and we might end up calling 'fur' otherwise" Brady explained.
"I see, Fern it is then" I say giving both the boys a smile" Um ...where's Seth?"
"Ah well you see Fern" Collin said with an apologetic smile "Something came up and since we have the rest of the week off due to investigations... "
"We would like to formally request your company during our time off" Brady finished for Collin.
I sigh "So basically you've been asked to keep an eye on me?"
Collin and Brady looked at each other, obviously not knowing what to say. I sigh once more, ever since Seth came back from the woods that day after the party, he's been so protective. It should bother me but it doesn't well okay it does but when I try to confront him about it he always has this look in his eyes like he's scared almost and I have no idea why, he won't talk to me. It's my fault too, I really shouldn't expect him to talk to me, and we've only know each other for less than two months but what I should and shouldn't expect have become blurry to me.
"Were really not that bad, despite what Jared says" Collin began.
"We're really loyal and uh we're strong and..." Brady continued.
"Good looking" Collin finished proudly and Brady rolled his eyes smiling also.
"Is that so?" I replied.
" With us by your side, you'd be the envy of the reserve you know" Collin smiled
"You'd also be safe" Brady added.
"I can't really resist that offer can I?" I say
"Well to be honest you don't really have a choice" Collin said carefully
"We'll take care of you, we won't let anyone or anything hurt you" Brady said with a sudden fierce expression in his eyes.
"Well then if you guys are to become my bodyguards, then we need to set up some rules" I said playfully trying to wipe the seriousness off their faces" hmmm... this isn't going to be like Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard so there will be absolutely no hanky- panky, um what else? Oh yes you will walk at least ten paces behind me at all time, open doors for me and whatnot, respect my privacy that's a given and you will address me as Ms. Montez or Fern whichever depending on the situation"
"Is that all?" Brady chuckled
"For now, and how will you be taking your payments?" I ask trying to keep a professional tone
"Ummmm..."Collin began taking a sudden interest in the conversation
"I can do a monthly payment of jelly-beans and twizzelers, does that sound fit?"
"That sounds smashing Ms. Montez!" Collin replied gleefully
"Perfect, will you be requiring a deposit?"
"No thats-"Brady began
"Of course, Ms. Montez what did you have in mind?" Collin cuts him off
"Well its nice out so how about some ice cream?" I ask, they both seem genuinely pleased that I'm not fighting them
"Ice cream sounds delightful Ms. Montez" Collin said draping an arm around me
"Uh -uh Mr. Littlesea what did I say about ten paces behind me at all times?" I ask giving them a dramatic expression" Not even ten minutes into the job and already slipping"
Collin immediately let go of me and gave me an apologetic expression, I shook my head and chuckled but smiled at them all the same" Let's go get ice cream"
Turns out Collin was right with him and Brady at my side I was getting some very angry looks from the local girls, I mean since Seth decided that he was my unspoken of unofficial boyfriend I also got angry looks and stink eyes from Alana and her friends. From what I could understand Seth and Alana occasionally dated and had been lab partners since they were freshmen and apparently the whole Rez had been hoping that they would go steady. That was before I came into the picture, Kim assured me that Seth wouldn't so much look at another girl when I was around, to which my only reply was blushing. Kim always comforted me and occasionally Jen about being called names and being the main subject of rumors. Jen had it much worse than me; there were constant rumors of her being kicked out Forks high school for getting pregnant and the only reason she disappeared last week was to get an abortion, which of course was so not true because anyone who owned a calendar would know that if she was actually pregnant than last week would have been too late get an abortion as Jen so eloquently put it, to which Embry's only reaction was dragging her out of school before she burned the place down. Kim had stopped trying to diffuse the rumors about me because they were getting so ridiculous, for example the latest and my personal favorite was that since I was from Hispanic decent I of course was in the drug business and of course since Seth and his friends were La Push big scary gang that was the only reason why they were interested in me, pfff as if.
We sat down on a bench in the La Push Pier, and Brady and Collin were giving each other tastes of their ice creams. I smiled in the short hour that I had been with them, Collin and Brady had proven to me exactly how loyal they could be. They were as close as siblings, no scratch that siblings fought these two were each other's soul sister. They finished each other's sentences and thoughts and even rescued each other's ice creams from certain demise, they even complimented each other Collin was goofy and outgoing and Brady was a bit more quite though just as goofy but at the same time more sensitive.
"So what's on the agenda after this?" I ask about to finish my ice cream
"Um we could always go to Emily's" Brady offered
"Or buy some more ice cream" Collin said hopefully
"I'm going to get in trouble for feeding you this many sweets before dinner" I reply smiling
"Awe c'mon Fern" Collin said giving me his best pout and puppy dog eyes, he shoves Brady who then mimics Collin's expression with a hopeful expression in his eyes" One more?"
"Finee" I said getting" Let's go"
Both boys gleefully got up and Collin draped an arm around me and Brady walked beside me, so the ten paces behind me rule wasn't really sticking but I was never really serious about it and I even thought I didn't understand what this whole of protection thing around me was I knew they meant well. So I got them their ice cream and we walked or well as they put it they put it they 'escorted' me to Emily's.
"So you and Seth" Collin began" Are getting pretty serious..."
"What?" I say my eyes turning wide" No, we've only known each other for like a month and were not serious I mean were... we are... wwelll I don't know what we are"
"But" Brady smiled" You like him"
I tilted my head, thinking he was a little dense and nodded smiling a little.
"And he likes you" Brady continued" he really likes you and he's happier when you're around"
"Plus we like you way better than Alana" Collin countered" or any of her friends"
"Yeah well, I buy you ice cream and Jen likes to threaten to burn down schools, so how could you not?" I replied smiling" By the way I think this clearly violates the privacy rule"
"Were not getting strikes are we?" Collin teased.
"Great idea" I replied" also we're also not talking about this anymore"
"Sorry, Fern" Brady apologized frowning.
"Yeah sorry boss" Collin replied sincerely.
"It's okay" I said smiling, I wasn't mad I just wasn't in the mood for talking about this topic. Thankfully we were in Emily's backyard by now" Here's a chance to redeem yourselves, you can open a door"
Both the boys scrambled to the door with Brady winning, I gave him my best smiled but Collin stopped me and grinned.
"Will you be requiring me to announce your arrival boss?" Collin asked
" No no, let's leave dramatic entrances and exits to Jen" I said laughing" Nice try though"
And with that Brady opened the door, and the smell of several assorted pastries filled my nose to tell you the truth it was absolutely delightful and even Collin staggered a little and Brady just sighed dreamily "Emily's baking" And then I was old news, both boys hurried to the kitchen and began practically inhaling muffins and turnovers, I gave a sigh before following them.
"Hey Fer!"Emily sang as she air hugged me on the other side of the counter
"No no, Emily its Fern now" Collin corrected her" We finally found a way around the whole 'fur' thing"
Emily looked to Brady for confirmation to which he nodded.
" But Fer sounds more exotic" Emily told me
"Fernanda, Fer, Fern, Boss its all good with me" I shrugged
"Boss?" Emily said eyeing Collin and Brady suspiciously
"Didn't you know? Collin and Brady have appointed themselves my bodyguards" I said eyeing one of the muffins on the counter.
"Really? Did they tell you why? Or did it come out of nowhere" Emily asked giving the boys a reproving look
"Out of nowhere really" I replied honestly, as Emily handed me my coveted muffin
"And you're okay with that?"
I waited a moment before answering that" I suppose I am, I mean there's no harm in it and I could always use an extra hand to open doors for me plus I'll be 'safe' with them"
Emily exhaled and threw her arms around me giving me light squeeze" Oh Fer, you will be safe"
I nodded, now I'm confused were the girls at school conspiring to assassinate me?
"These muffins are real good Em" I slurred through chewing, changing the subject" Really top notch"
Emily smiled and handed me another one and when Brady and Collin proceeded to do the same Emily hit their hands quickly with a spatula" Hey! Leave some for your brothers"
"That was really good Em" Brady smiled, rubbing his hand" you got us this time"
"It's my spidy-reflexes isn't it?" Emily said smiling before giving in and handing each one of them another muffin" Fer the boys are getting back soon, so maybe you should stay a for bit"
I nodded" Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Of course!" Emily practically beamed at me" Could you get the cookies started for me? There's dough and eggs and I'll be right back with the rest ingredients!"
"No mix?"
Brady gasped "Emily never uses baking mixes"
"Yeah to hell with Betty Crocker anyways" Collin replied, gleefully sinking his teeth into his second muffin" Emily Young is the brand name we go by here, plus its why we love Em so much"
Brady shoved Collin lightly before adding" And her loving and tender personality "
Em rolled her eyes and turned to the boys "Its Emily Uley to you"
I smiled" Have you picked out your dress yet?"
"Not yet" Emily lamented" I haven't found anything I really like you see and I want to look my best"
"Of course, it's your special day" I nodded
"Em you could show up in a brown paper bag and Sam wouldn't care" Collin said with muffin rolling around in his mouth" He just wants to marry you already"
Brady slapped his palm to his fist before saying" What Collin is trying to say is that you're beautiful Em and that it doesn't matter which dress you choose cause you would still look as pretty and Sam loves you so much that he would rather you to choose on a dress sooner rather than later so he can start spending the rest of his life with you"
Emily was blushing a deep shade of scarlet by the time Brady was done" And that is why Brady gets to lick the big wooden spoon"
"Awe c'mon!" Collin yelled" He totally stole my words!"
Emily shrugged and handed Brady the big wooden spoon" But Brady put them together so much better"
"Of course he would! His house is running an everyday marathon of Dr. Phil and Oprah!" Collin fumed.
"I've got three sisters" Brady shrugged taking his sweet time with the spoon.
I laughed as I cracked my fifth egg on the bowl with one hand.
"Wow you're really good at that" Em speculated.
"My mother owns her own restaurant" I replied, looking for the milk
"Oh not yet sweetie, here quality and quantity are big around here"
"Huh?"
"Just pretend were operating a Costco here, you're going to at least need four more eggs in there"
"Can do"
We fell into silence as we worked me on the cookies and Em finishing supper, Brady and Collin fighting over the big wooden spoon to the point where Emily just handed Collin the big wooden fork that match the big wooden spoon to put them both at ease. At some point it occurred to me that I was going to need a bigger bowl but Emily reassured me that you never needed a bigger bowl all you need was to work those arms harder to which I laughed and happily complied.
Around four o'clock they rest of the boys showed up, looking as tired as ever and Jake proudly declared that there wasn't a single leech in town.
"Leeches are actually good for the ecosystem, cause they are good food for birds and actually have a role in the ecosystem" I drawled as I worked over the cookie batter" Leeches are good"
All I got were unreadable expressions from everyone so as I used my entire weight and strength to flatten out the stubborn batter I continued" They are also used for modern medicine, cause ommigod there was one episode of Grey's Anatomy were there was guy with like blood clogged in his nose and it was so bad that I think the nose turned black so I think it was Alex, hmm I'm pretty sure it was Alex who used leeches on the guy's nose, hmmm it might have been George cause I'm certain that happened in the early seasons... I miss George even though he cheated on Callie but he was drunk although that's never an excuse, um sorry I'm rambling now aren't I?"
"A little" Seth said smiling, as he walked over to me eyeing the batter" Need any help?"
"Nope! I got it" I replied sighing "Anyways is that what you guys do? Like collect herbs and insect for local medicine? I read that up in Canada like in the province of BC a guy got paid four hundred dollars for this rare mushroom thing"
"Um not exactly" Paul chimed also eyeing the batter" Are you sure you don't want help?"
"Oh okay and no, no thanks I got it" I said pushing more cookie batter flat
"Don't you want to know what we do?" Paul asked, after a moment of silence
"No, not really unless you want to tell me otherwise I won't ask" I said carefully, before slipping a bit from dropped flour, bracing my arms on the counter as I myself up " Ommigosh Em now I know why your arms are so toned"
Em flexed her arms for me before Sam wrapped an arm around her waist. Awe. I always got these glimpse of Sam looking at Emily or Jared looking at Kim and even Embry looking at Jen ... when she wasn't paying attention, it was a complete look of adoration one that showed love. Growing up, I experienced maternal love and strong bonds of friendship but never romantic love I don't remember how my parents used to be and well with Stephen I know my mom cares for him, I believe you there is only one person that you were meant to be with and I like to believe that person was my dad for my mom. I've had boyfriends, and I never thought I felt love to be honest I don't know what it feels to be in love for sure, to be honest I want someone to look at me the way Sam looks at Em.
"You okay Fern?" Brady asked once more before giving me a dubious look, and getting up and helping me anyways, then he dropped his voice "its okay to ask for help sometimes you know"
I nodded "Thanks."
"Fern was manual labor part of the job description?" Collin asked "If so I want a raise"
"You little b-" I began but was abruptly cut off as the door swung open, it was Jen and Embry. Embry was carrying big shopping bags with Jen at his side looking of course gorgeous... it kind of put my current appearance to shame, which was sad cause this morning I looked nice too.
"Hi everyon-" Jen stopped horrified as she glanced at me" What the hell happened to you? Why are you covered in white dust? God you look like a lumber jack, you didn't go to school like that did you?"
I sighed" Yes Jen, that's what I was going for the grunge rolled out of bed Yogi Bear look"
"Ha, please you're Boo Boo at best" Jen chuckled" Seriously what were you doing?"
"She was baking cookies" Em stated quietly
"What'd you do roll around in the roll around in the flour?" Jen snorted, then looked at me suggestively" Roll around in the flour with Seth?"
That did it, I inhaled almost viciously and then took a sec to compose myself" Collin, Brady... attack"
Brady looked quite hesitant, but Collin charged full on throwing Jen over his shoulder and spinning her at a un human speed. After a couple of seconds Embry growled and Collin set Jen on her feet which then turned into Embry's lap.
"Awe Jen you look a little red, what you'd do? laps on Embry?" I retorted as Collin smiled and high fived me.
"You... fight... dirty... Boo Boo" Jen panted
"So do you Yogi" I smiled as I sat down beside her "Here have a chocolate chip"
Jen smiled and popped it in her mouth" All is forgiven" then Jen tried to stand up but failed miserably as Embry hugged her closer and murmured something in her ear, to which Jen blushed but elbowed him to let go all the same.
I walked over back to the counter; Seth was looking at me with his head tilted and an amused smile on his face. I smirked and aimed a chocolate chip at his mouth which he then dove to save, and then he stood straight, tilted his head back and opened his mouth. I aimed two chocolate chips at his mouth both of which made it in without him having to move.
" Score" I smiled as he closed the distance, and wrapped his arms around me. I hugged back for a moment then, pulled away gently" I have cookies to finish"
And I did finish them, it took me a little more time and effort than expected it but in the end they were delicious cookies that even looked like little wolves thanks to Emily's cookie cutters. For some reason the little wolf cookies were hilarious to Jacob and Collin and even after they were slapped in the back of the head by Sam they kept muttering something about 'prints use cookie prints for wolf cookies'.
I looked at Jen confused" I don't get it"
"Ah but Boo Boo there's nothing to get" Jen said before, popping another chocolate chip in her mouth, as she stood up with Embry following her every movement " C'mon Cindy Bear I gotta get home"
Embry groaned" Seriously?"
"Yup, let's get a move on before Ranger Smith puts you on patrol" Jen said smiling as Sam huffed.
I smiled and turned to look at my wolf cookies, then I decided that yes Boo Boo was proud of the wolf cookies.
Love it? Hate it?
I'm really trying to keep the chapters nice and long but I don't want to post a bunch or random blabber. Next chapter promise first Seth and Fer outing, also do you guys like the nickname Fern? anyways i hope you guys enjoyed! Please review!