April 3, 2012
Sweet readers, it has been too long! I'm sad to say that my chemistry major has taken over my life this semester. However, Spring Break is here, and I am in the midst of editing the next chapter of ADKoL and writing RSM! My hope is to write three chapters this week and spread publishing out over the next month. Thank you all for being so patient!
Enjoy, as usual, and have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
evelyn-shaye
Special thanks to my temporary betas, Enlighten and darcysmom, as well as the PTB mod, Squeaky Zorro. Your insights made this chapter truly amazing! :)
Chapter Twelve: Unexpected
The morning of our movie day dawned bright and sunny. For once, I was glad that I wasn't a vampire, forced to stay inside for the sake of concealment from the "real world." Instead, my skin naturally had the soft glow of one who cared for her body and applied countless beauty products to make it really shine. Jake couldn't stop staring at me that morning, and for once, I didn't question it.
"Nessie, you look so beautiful," he whispered as we waited for Emmett to join us. My already accelerated heart beat picked up even more. I blushed.
"Thanks, Jake," I murmured. I wanted to return the favor, but Emmett suddenly came barreling our direction. I shuddered to think that we might give him an excuse to make fun of us.
As it turned out, my hesitation didn't matter, anyway. The moment Emmett started the Jeep, he began his stern and thoroughly awkward lecture. "Now Jacob."
I suppressed a groan. Lord help us.
"Edward has told me, in no uncertain terms, that you favor Nessie. And while I have no problem at all with this attraction—heck, go for it, for all I care; you werewolves keep things interesting around here – you will not push Nessie until she is ready."
It seemed to me that Emmett couldn't leave out this side of his personality, even though he had just encouraged us when he meant to discourage. Jake and I exchanged a grin.
"Wasn't planning on it," Jake answered firmly. I squeezed his hand.
"I just wanted to get the wheels in your mind turning now, before you get into that movie theater," Emmett replied. "And while we're on that subject, I think it would be best if the two of you put a seat between you."
"Um, why?" I had to ask. What did it matter that we planned to sit together? Mutual attraction aside, we were best friends!
Emmett grinned slyly. "I have taken my Rose to a movie on quite a few occasions, and I can tell you, the dark setting is a perfect place for—"
"Ugh!" I cried, shoving my hands over my ears. Though I didn't mind imagining all manner of wonderful things that could transpire between Jake and me in the theater, I had no desire to hear what dirty acts my aunt and uncle had committed there.
Jake wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Seriously, Emmett, did you really think Ness and I were gonna make out in the middle of a movie theater? In front of our friends?"
I winced. It wasn't what I expected him to say, which slightly crushed my spirits, but he certainly hadn't needed to add that last part.
Because, naturally, Emmett jumped on it. "So, you're saying that you've made out before," he guessed, his smile widening.
"Of course not, Emmett!" I protested. "I have…I have virgin lips!" Suddenly realizing what I'd said, I blushed furiously and tried to ignore the strange face that Jacob made at me.
Since Emmett had just parked, he slowly turned to face me and guffawed. "Did you really just say that?" He laughed even harder as my face turned beet red. I slumped lower in my seat.
"It's true," I muttered, causing Jake to join in on the laughter. I should've been mad at him, since I knew that his lips weren't entirely pure, but I was too horrified at what I had just said to risk saying another word.
Jake's laughter finally eased, and he placed his warm hand over mine. "Don't worry, Nessie. Your lips don't need to be in any hurry to change their status," he teased.
I glanced sideways at him. "Because yours aren't about to tarnish them, I suppose," I joked back. Part of me hoped that he would refute my statement; after all, what could be better than kissing Jacob Black? The greater part that was still nervous about blurring our fine line between friends and soul mates, though, wished that he would agree.
He grinned at the thoughts that passed through our connection. "You're absolutely right," he confirmed, squeezing my hand.
I smiled gratefully at my friend. "Thanks, Jake."
Emmett cleared his throat. "I hate to interrupt your moment, but I think the rest of the party just arrived." He gestured to the left. I leaned in front of Jake so I could better see out the window. Sure enough, Garet, Jonathan, and Tamara emerged from a black SUV and started looking around for us.
I unbuckled quickly. "Thanks for the ride, Emmett," I said, jumping out of his Jeep.
"Any time," he called. "Let me know if these kids smell any good; I might want a snack later."
"Emmett," I warned. But Jake seemed unaffected by his comment, and my human friends hadn't heard him.
Tamara waved enthusiastically and ran forward to greet us, Garet and Jonathan trailing in her wake. "Hey, I'm glad you could make it!" She pulled me into a small hug and reached for Jacob next.
Jake stepped back with a laugh and fist-bumped her instead. "We said we'd be here," he reminded her.
"Well, I am happy you came," she replied, orienting herself like she intended to try to hug him again.
Oh, brother.
Garet's mom leaned her head out the window. "You kids be careful, okay?" she cautioned. "Call immediately if you feel threatened or sick or anything."
Garet rolled her eyes dramatically. "We all have cell phones with us," she answered with annoyance.
"But we'll stick together anyway, just in case," Tamara added good-naturedly. Garet's mom smiled. The two obviously had a good relationship.
The black SUV pulled out, and Emmett's Jeep followed close behind. Tamara's eyes followed it to the edge of the parking lot. "Um, wow. Your brother is really hot," she informed me.
I laughed. "Don't waste your time. He's dating Rosalie," I replied.
"Rosalie! Your sister?" Tamara wrinkled her nose.
I shrugged. "They're not biological siblings," I reminded her. It irked me that people always questioned my aunt and uncle's relationship. They were perfect together, two parts of a whole. I couldn't imagine one without the other.
"Yeah, but still…" She glanced toward the Jeep's former position again, but then faced Jacob worriedly, as if her comment had offended him. His face was expressionless.
When she turned away, he sent me a look that said, Why couldn't you just let her fall for Emmett?
I was starting to wonder the same thing.
"Oh, well. He's a junior, anyway. Way out of my league." Tamara gazed shyly at Jacob again.
Jeez. Were all humans this tactless, or did it just seem that way because I grew up with decades-old vampires? If Tamara wanted to win Jacob's heart, or any guy in general, she needed to act natural, be herself, and let him make his own decisions based on her character.
But first, I had to convince her that Jacob was mine.
What Jake and I had was special. We grew up together, knew every little thing there was to know, every detail. A relationship couldn't begin without that solid foundation. I didn't know too many girls that had known the guy they loved since the day they were born. It certainly wasn't that way for Momma, Grandmother Esme, Rosalie, or Alice.
Of course, vampires were different in the way they chose soul mates.
But then, so were werewolves. Imprinting was so strange to me, even having grown up with the concept and a pack of boys that all knew its power. Whether they had experienced it directly or not, the imprint was sacred. Emily, Kim, and Claire were to be protected at all cost; no one dared risk the unfathomable pain of a brother losing his soul mate.
The pack protected me, too, but they weren't bound to me by that incredible, life-altering force. I was just Jake's best friend, which might have been as strong as gravity but was much weaker than what they felt for the other girls.
I suddenly felt the urge to cry. What was I doing here, in North Dakota? And why was Jake with me? He needed to be living his life with the pack, waiting for the girl of his dreams. Screw our friendship. I would never fit into the fabric of First Beach like my girl friends did. I was just a tag-along.
"You okay, Ness?" Garet asked worriedly. I blinked, startled from my reverie. In my periphery, I saw Jacob lean in closer, almost protectively. His movement made the threat of tears even more imminent.
"Yeah. Fine," I breathed, willing the tear ducts to remain shut. One lone drop slid down my face. For the first time that day, I wished that I were a vampire so I could hide my emotions more easily.
Garet very obviously wasn't convinced, but she didn't press the issue. Tamara had been so fixated with Jacob, she hadn't noticed the exchange. She looped an arm with his and led the way across the parking lot to an Italian restaurant where we planned to eat lunch.
Oh, no you don't, I growled mentally. My sadness was replaced by sudden anger. In a moment of vindictiveness, I slid my arm through Jacob's free one and leaned in close. Jake raised his eyebrows at me but didn't protest. He seemed confused but happy with my action.
I took opportunity of our contact to talk to him. Have I told you that you look really great today? I asked him sweetly.
Jake smiled broadly.
"What is it, Jake?" Tamara asked in a slightly similar tone. I showed Jake my discomfort with the situation. He squeezed my arm.
"Nothing, Tamara, just some thoughts running through my head." He winked subtly at me. I giggled.
"You look amazing today, Nessie," he whispered. His voice was gentle and nearly as soft as a vampire's but still inaudible to human ears. I was grateful that Tamara wasn't supernatural, too. That would've made our situation especially awkward.
We arrived at the restaurant, where things finally started to look up. Apparently, Garet and Tamara had eaten here before and absolutely loved it. "The chicken parmesan is incredible," Garet enthused as we flipped through our menus.
"Personally, I'm a huge fan of the ravioli," Tamara said. She and Garet had taken a seat on one side of the table with Jonathan while Jake and I sat on the other side. The look that Garet gave me clearly said that she was on my side and wanted Tamara to chill out just as much as I did. She was definitely capable of keeping her best friend's attention occupied while I hung out with Jake. The two girls chatted happily, Jonathan held Garet's hand and gazed at her adoringly, and Jacob and I talked quietly.
"How much longer until we can announce ourselves?" Jake asked softly.
I raised my eyebrows. My heart, which had been steadily sinking since my realization about the imprints, leapt back to its normal happy state. "When did we become official?" I returned casually.
He shrugged. "I think it's safe to say that, after our conversation a few nights ago, we're giving this whole dating thing a try," he answered.
I agreed. We weren't exactly serious yet but were definitely learning the ropes and easing ourselves into "the whole dating thing," as Jake put it.
"I'll go with that," I replied easily. "As to announcing ourselves…is one week too early to start dating?"
"I don't know," Jake admitted. "I never really got the chance to experience normal high school dating." I gave him a funny look, so he quickly continued, "Well, I had the opportunity, but the only girl I really wanted was—" He cut off suddenly.
I sighed. "You don't have to do that," I informed him. "I know that you were in love with Momma, but things are different now. We're best friends, and for some strange reason"—I lowered my voice just in case—"you're in love with me."
Jacob smiled. "Truly I am," he affirmed. I smiled widely.
"I think," he finally said, "that it would be totally fine for us to go on a date, maybe Monday of next week, and then tell your friends that we really like each other and just want to try dating for awhile."
I considered that. It sounded pretty reasonable to me, and regardless of the fact that we weren't official, our attraction to each other was obvious. "I'd go with that, too," I answered.
His smile widened. "Well, then, what would you like to do for our first date?" he asked.
What did I want to do? I had no earthly clue what couples did, and asking Garet right now would've been tactless, with Tamara right across the table. Since we were going to see a movie today, I didn't really want to go again on Monday, and dinner seemed like something that couples did once they had been seeing each other for awhile. The only thing I really wanted to with Jake was…
Could we go for a run? I asked him silently. He and I had gone hunting with my parents yesterday, but I wanted to run just for the thrill of it, to feel the ground rush beneath my feet and the wind sweep back my long bronze hair, to marvel at the Jacob's strength and speed…I blushed and hoped that he didn't notice.
Jacob squeezed my hand. "Of course we can go for a run," he assured me. He seemed almost relieved that we didn't plan to do something traditionally romantic.
Our food arrived then. I dug into my steak and mushroom spaghetti with vigor. Jake and I would have to come back, just the two of us, once we started dating.
From the expression on Jake's face, he agreed with me wholeheartedly. He had ordered the chicken parmesan, per Garet's suggestion, and seemed in awe of the portion on his plate. We each shared a bite of the other's food; it was, indeed, quite delicious.
Maybe North Dakota wasn't that bad, after all, as long as we had to stay for awhile.
The movie, unfortunately, was not as stellar as the previews had promised. The action was fine—it actually had some great effects—but the acting itself was horrible. There was supposed to be a romance between two of the protagonists…it had me nearly gagging.
Jacob, however, seemed to be in his element. Once the movie started, he reached over to take my hand, which I more than willingly allowed. It was natural for us and always had been. Now, though, Jake stroked it gently with his thumb, a contented smile on his face. I had to smile, too. There was a wonderful floaty feeling in my stomach, as well as a tingling further down that I didn't recognize but felt particularly amazing and that Jake's stroking only intensified.
After a little while, it felt slightly uncomfortable. In fact, I was certain that I really needed to relieve myself, and that was why the tingling seemed so strange.
I leaned over to whisper in Jake's ear, "I need to use the restroom," before standing to leave.
Jake stood with me, not letting go of my hand. "I'll come with you," he whispered back.
My mouth twisted in confusion. "You don't have to. I'll be fine."
Jacob frowned. "You never know what kind of creeps could be hanging around, Ness," he reminded me.
I shivered but nodded. Then by all means, please come with me, I answered silently. Nothing could go wrong with Chief Jacob protecting me.
Jake smiled. "We'll be right back," he told the rest of our group. "Nessie needs to step into the restroom, and I'm gonna grab some more snacks."
Garet and Jonathan nodded, but Tamara eyed our intertwined hands suspiciously. I smiled at her reassuringly. "He's just making sure nothing happens," I whispered.
She didn't look convinced, but her face relaxed ever so slightly. "Hurry back," she whispered, glancing at Jake meaningfully.
We nodded. Jake led me out of our row, loosely tugging me by the hand. When we reached the entrance to our theater, he pulled me into a warm embrace. I melted into his arms, but the tingling increased even more, to the point of complete discomfort. I shrugged out of his arms. "I wasn't lying before," I told him. "I really need to go." I winced to show him my sudden desperation.
Jake nodded. "Okay, then." He dropped me off at the door.
I hurried inside to relieve myself, and what sweet relief it was. I hadn't realized that the sensation was more of a burning. I checked my panties to make sure I hadn't started my period, even though I wasn't due until next week.
Huh. There wasn't any blood, but there was a clear, gel-like liquid. Confused, I grabbed some more toilet paper to wipe it up. I hadn't been that desperate to pee, had I? The liquid smeared as it came in contact with the paper, and a quick sniff registered an almost salty smell. Gross.
I flushed it down the toilet and washed my hands with almost paranoid effort. That stuff was disgusting. I didn't want any trace of it, especially if Jake wanted to hold my hand again. I smelled my hands afterwards: nice soap.
When I left the bathroom, Jake wasn't waiting for me. I frowned, until I realized that he might have been in line buying snacks, so the humans didn't call our bluff. I headed over to the snack area. He wasn't there, either.
I stood with indecision. I could head back to the movie, where he might be waiting for me or I could wait for him. I could wait here; maybe he was in the bathroom, too? Maybe I should call him…
My cell phone vibrated just then. I slid it open to read a text from Jake. "Nessie, I stepped outside to get some air. Care to join me?"
I didn't even take the time to weigh my options. The movie was terrible, and Tamara was hitting on Jake. It was incredibly easy to cross the short distance to the doors and enter the crisp fall air where my Jacob was waiting for me.
But when I searched for him, I didn't see him. I assumed that he would be on one of the benches situated in front of all the movie posters, or even leaning against the building near the exit, but he was nowhere to be found. There was an ice cream place next door; maybe he wanted me to join him there.
I headed in that direction, whipping out my cell phone as I walked. It wasn't like Jake to leave out this kind of information. Actually, his text sounded out of character for him. He was never that formal with me, usually opting to resort to text speak.
I was so distracted by my texting that I didn't notice the beautiful tan figure until she placed a strong, cold hand over my mouth and wrapped her free arm around my waist. I tried to protest, thinking that maybe my intense heat would ward her off, but she forced me into a side alley with no room to protest. I struggled anyway, until I recognized her scent.
Leanna!
I gripped her arm with one hand. Let me GO! I screamed mentally. I showed her my rage and my demand that she set me free.
Leanna flinched but maintained a firm hold on me. "That's Braden's decision," she hissed. Even muted, her voice sounded loyal.
Myriad questions flooded my head: Would Braden try to turn me to his side? Had he already succeeded with Jacob? I was suddenly more fearful of a wasted life than dying at their hands.
We turned a sharp corner. My eyes had to adjust to the dark, but once they did, I could see Jacob being restrained by both male vampires, Braden and Ashton. Their faces were scrunched against his wolf smell, but their eyes were determined, even murderous.
I didn't hold their stares for long. I scanned Jacob's body frantically, looking for any sort of fracture or dislocation at the hands of the coven. Other than shaking uncontrollably, probably dying to shift but mindful of the danger to me, he seemed to be in one piece. I sighed with relief, the sound obscured by Leanna's hand.
Jake glanced up sharply as we approached. My eyes met his eagerly. I was beyond scared but thrilled just to see his face.
When Leanna removed her hand, I immediately cried out, "Jake!" My voice was more desperate than I intended.
Jacob's shaking intensified so that his skin glowed with the heat. If he didn't shift soon, he was going to explode; I was surprised that the burning hadn't scalded Braden and Ashton's hands. I remembered one newborn attack at La Push while my friend Seth was still in his human form. The vampire's arms had snaked around his body, but the rush of heat from the transformation had reduced most of her appendages to ash. How did Braden and Ashton stand it?
Jacob didn't answer my cry. He shouted at Leanna, "Get your hands off of her!"
Leanna glanced at Braden, who shook his head. "All in good time, shifter," he said menacingly. His eyes shone with an emotion I couldn't place. Triumph coupled with something else? "I promise that, if you are cooperative, you and your sweet Nessie will not be harmed."
Braden's voice rang with sincerity. I still didn't trust him, but I wasn't about to test his assertion. Jacob seemed to be of the same mind. He breathed deeply, forcing himself to relax, and faced me with deep sadness.
The condition of his previous statement hit me very suddenly. I had no idea what he wanted from us, and Jake didn't, either. We were completely at their mercy. Attacking would lead only to a fight between covens, and I wasn't strong enough to fight a vampire. Jake and I needed the rest of our family to be successful. Braden had planned this well.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked into the face of the boy I had loved my entire life. There was nothing to do but wait and pray.