CHAPTER 16: BLIND MANS BLUFF

A COUPLE MONTHS LATER

Embry and I had been dating a couple of months, now. We were the official unofficial couple of La Push. He hadn't asked me to be his girlfriend yet, but since he spent practically every waking moment with me, I think he took it as a given. My mom loved him, and as much as my dad hated to admit it, he grudgingly told me I did look happier when I was with him.

I was starting to love La Push. Britt had joined the ranks as one of my best friends. She almost lived at my house, or I lived at hers. Her parents were so nice and welcoming. When I first met them, they insisted I call them Aunt Angie and Uncle Albert. They aid I'd soon be like one of the family and they were right. Damon and I were cool. I was never left alone with him though. It was like Embry and Britt didn't trust him to keep the precious secret they were hiding from me. It irritated me but I never really let it get to me. I'd find out when I find out.

Amber and Jess were coming down later on today. Their movie was starting filming next week and they had done their exams early. La Push did theirs later than normal so I had two weeks left to cram as much knowledge in my head as well as learn what they were still teaching.

Embry was driving me to the airport to pick up the girls.

'So, tell me their names again.' He said as he drove off toward Port Angeles.

'Jessica and Amber. Jessica is medium heighted and blond. She's very active. She's like the energizer bunny. Amber, on the other hand is brunette. She's very pretty, but you don't notice it at first, because of her clothes. She style is a little… eccentric. So look for a blond girl jumping around, exclaiming at everything and a brunette dressed un-normal trailing after shaking her head.'

'Your friends seem interesting. Different.'

'They are. Just promise me you won't forget their names. Or if you do, don't be obvious about it. Don't, for the love of all that is good in this world go "Hi… you" or something like that. Please. I'm begging you, I'll do anything.'

'Anything?' his smile was positively lecherous.

'Anything PG.' I amended, raising my eyebrows. He looked disappointed. 'What were you thinking?' I was genuinely curious. He usually wasn't like this. I mean, when we kissed and I want to slow it down, he doesn't complain. I remembered the first time we kissed.

It was after we'd gone out a couple of times. It was our fifth date. I knew I liked him enough to kiss him, and I was starting to think that maybe he didn't want to kiss me. I mean he didn't know about… my past. So, why was he waiting? I decided that I would kiss him if he didn't try to kiss me that night. Feminine pride and all that. You know, woman can do everything that a man can do, even initiate their first kiss. I know that's not what they were thinking when they said that, but it still applies. Right? Whatever.

So anyway, I made my decision, now I had to put it into action. He hadn't tried all night and we were approaching my doorway. We stopped and he leaned towards me to give me his customary kiss in the cheek. I turn my head and caught his mouth. He pulled away almost immediately and the insecurities started pouring in. Then he spoke.

'Are you sure?' he asked, his face was only inches away from mine.

I didn't reply, I just moved closer and kissed him again. He responded with so much enthusiasm, I couldn't believe it was the same guy who had just walked away every night.

'I wasn't thinking anything special.'

Huh? Oh, the whole PG thing.

'Yeah, you were. You looked disappointed when I said PG so you had to have been thinking something.'

'Why are you pushing this?'

'Because, you're not normally like that. I want to know what's in your head. Especially since what's in your head is so interesting.'

'Well I'm glad you're enjoying the fact that I am a guy.'

'I am enjoying it. Very much. But you still haven't told me what you were thinking.'

'Do you really truly want to know?'

'I really truly want to know.'

'I was thinking of sneaking into your room one of these nights and spending the night. I don't mean we would have to have sex.' He said hurriedly after my eyebrows went way up at "spending the night".

'I just mean, you and me together. I miss you when you're at school. It would be easier if I saw you the entire night. We wouldn't even have to kiss.' He added after he saw that my eyebrows were still raised.

I couldn't think of anything to say. I wanted to, of course. But it was a big step. And not one people normally take. And there was the whole question of what if we got caught?

'I told you, you didn't want to know.'

'I did want to know. I'm glad I know. I just think that…' I suddenly realized that I wanted to do it. I missed him as well. It was a long 19 hours not seeing him, even though 8 hours of those were spent asleep.

'You know what?' I continued. 'I think we should do it. I mean, we'd have to wait, because I'll be sharing my room with the girls, but I miss you too.'

His smile was bright enough to light up a whole town.

We finally reached the airport in Port Angeles. The girls were filming in a small town near Forks, the town next to the reservation. We got to the waiting area and sat down. The plane had been delayed a bit so they were set to land in 15 minutes.

'How did they get this gig anyway?'

'Well, remember the play I was telling you about, the one I was supposed to be in?' he nodded. 'They both got speaking parts in it. Jess got the lead and Amber got the part she wanted. It just so happened that the director wanted fresh faces for his movie and heard about the play. He went and loved Jess' voice and Amber's acting.'

'So, if you had played lead, it would be you instead of Jess?'

'No. I don't think so. He still would have heard Jess sing. I just would sing more.'

'I've never heard you sing. Why don't you?' He asked.

'I do, just not around you.' I was too embarrassed to sing in front of Embry. What if he didn't like my voice?

'Why?' he staring at me. I hate when he does that. He developed this stare that he puts on when he knows I don't want to tell him something. It's hypnotizing and seductive and basically makes me putty in his hands. I tried to look away but his eyes just followed mine. So I closed mine.

'Are you going to tell me?'

'No.' I said, my eyes still closed.

'Then are you going to open your eyes?' he said. I could tell he was fighting off a laugh.

'Are you going to stop staring at me?'

'No.' he was really laughing at me.

'Then no, I will not open my eyes.'

'How will you see your friends if you refuse to open your eyes?'

That will be hard, but I'm not giving in. 'I'll just have to hear them.'

'And how will you get to the car?'

'I'm sure that Amber or Jess won't mind leading me around.'

'You've really thought this out, haven't you?' he said. He had finally stopped laughing.

'Yes I have. Have you stopped staring at me?'

'No, and I won't until you open your eyes.'

'That might be a problem, since I won't open my eyes until you stop staring.'

'Well, it seems we've reached an impasse.'

'I wonder who will be the first to break.' I said, raising my eyebrows. It was interesting, seeing as how my eyes were still closed. The entire conversation was interesting.

'You obviously. You'll undoubtedly want to see your friends.'

'Some how I think you'll crack before I do.'

'Want to bet on it?' he said. I could tell he was grinning again.

'Yup. I win, you're my slave for a week. You win, I'm yours.'

'Deal. Though it's not really fair, seeing as how I'm already at your beck and call.'

'Then you have nothing to lose, do you?' I taunted.

He was about to reply when we heard my name being yelled from across the room.