Not Quite It

by Me Again Just Cooler

I gasped in horror making Amber turn around and freeze in place. A copper skinned man with the height and mass of a mountain was approaching us with a slightly wobbling step, a face of pure amazement and completely and utterly NAKED.

16. Kelly?

Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.

I'm not even going to say I'm sorry, it's insulting now. Yup I't taken more than a month to post and I really deserve to get my ass kicked but hey! I'm in college now! Awesome! Well, on with the story, this chapter was supposed to be a lot longer, but with my time troubles and stuff, if I decided to give it it's full length, you guys wouldn't be hearing anything from me for at least another month, so instead I'm making it in 2 chapters and than leaving you guys in the dark.

I'm not entirely sure I made the right decision with that because I cut out what was supposed to be the BEGINNING of the REAL thing doing this but well, I'll just start working a lot more on it to make up for it.

Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed: aussiejemma, kikikiki, Michelle7, unknown ( actually I love your reviews, there very useful for me and upgrading my writing skills, I only asked what you thought was in the chest out of Real curiosity, because I'm still in panic by following that story line I've chose, it's a tough one, oh and by the way, you guessed right, there is going to be a random vampire thrown in, but waaayyy, in the future, the little things that Cory's been feeling have nothing to do, I'm sorry I made it look that way, and thank you so much for liking my story, even if I myself am not liking it so much) xstrawxberryx, Hi, imMariaa (thanks for your review, and I'm really glad you like Cory's blind hatred for Paul, I mean, don't you ever get tired of the imprint stories where on the second chapter they're just about ready to take them to bed? I couldn't see Cory like that and besides I wanted to make it as realistic as I can, It's good to know people appreciate it) and Yeakylver.

Ok, so, as I'm not sure if people read much what is in the review box I'm gonna add here what I commented there since maybe, someone might be interested.

wow, thank you so much for your reviews, there awesome. and to answer some stuff here:

piercingemeralds2, hahaha, close, but not quite it, she does act weird, partly because of her brother and most of it comes from something that happened much before, i can only give you one little spoiler: Eva. that's it, i'm not saying anything else.

SUHAILAH: hahaha, wow, i really need my life being endangered to write, because your review really made me start writing again... yeah, i know, pathetic, and about your coments. i'm sorry if i make her parents sound like a-holes, but Cory hardly trusts anyone and i have to admit, if i owned a Sig 556 Swat Patrol Rifle 16" Barrel, i'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't be informed either, hahaha and thank you about the Paul thing, it's kinda hard to write and remain faithful to a character you didn't create, so i'm glad your liking how it's going.

aussie jemma: thank you so much, i promise i'll speed up the next chapter and about your question, Tony is a very important person for Cory and his visit in further chapters is going to have a certain werewolf crawling up the walls, hahaha, i'm having so much fun just planning on how to write it, i hope i get there , Cory might seem a little OOC in that chapter but i'll make sure to explain as to why. anyways, i'm really happy you liked it and i hope you stay around for more.

NinjaHarryPotter4life: I'm glad your still around and still liking my story, and yup, there wasn't much Paul in the last chapter but i'm going to reward all of you in later chapters i promise, and yes, actually, Cory isn't going to fall head over heals for him right away, she just isn't like that and well, even though there may be hints to it, it's mostly that she's just getting accustomed to him being there, friendly type of so, thanks again and i hope you review the next chapter too, i'd really like to hear your opinion.

kiki: i'm so glad your still around, thank you, i wasn't so happy with that chapter but i'm glad you liked it, stick around, i think i'm getting better at this.

Michelle7: thanks for your review, i really tried to make the ending really scary, i see i accomplished that, and thanks for liking it, like i said, i wasn't to happy with that chapter, it's good to know it didn't absolutely suck

so, that would be all, another thanks and i hope more of you review on the new chapter, have a good day and i'll just shut up now.

Chapter 16: Kelly?

I walked calmly on the side of the damp dark road towards town with not as much a word between Paul and I since we left the school's parking lot. I could feel him twitch nervously at my side, as if debating over something very important.

I ignored this the best I could, distracting myself with trying to walk on the white line, carefully avoiding my feet from touching anything that wasn't the old and vanishing paint on the asphalt. After a couple of minutes I already had my arms spread out to keep my balance as I quickly placed one foot in front of the other.

-"How have you been?"

The question caught me off guard, since, yet again, I had completely forgotten Paul's presence just a couple of feet away. I stopped to look at him once, and continued to walk on the line.

-"Good" I answered, wobbling a bit as I picked up the pace.

-"You didn't look like it back there"- Paul said, coming closer as my steps became more unsteady each time. I shrugged.

-"Weren't you supposed to be busy all this week?" I asked, waving off his hands as he tried to catch me as I stumbled, I regained balance almost immediately and kept walking.

Paul stared down at me with uncertain eyes but went along with me nonetheless: -"I switched shifts with this new guy"

That captured my interest.

-"Shifts?"- I looked up at him from the corner of my eye: - "You work?"

Paul nodded: -"Something like that… I like to called it more as… community service"

-"Ah… So you were finally caught running butt naked again, huh?"-I heard a snort at my side, I smiled as I pretended to remember:- "Oh, you mean that 'Protectors' stuff, right?"

Paul's lips twitched into an amused smile: -"Yup, that "Protectors stuff""

I rolled my eyes at the silly tone he used, almost as if he were saying some ultra secret of national importance.

-"Is it fun?"- Paul arched an eyebrow, confused, I shrugged- "You know, helping elderly ladies across the street… getting cats off trees… picking up dog poop from the sidewalk"

Paul laughed one half exasperated laugh and shook his head condescend.

-"We don't do that kind of stuff"- he said to me, then mumbled something to low for me to catch, my fingers twitched with impatience, what did he say?

-"So what do you guys do?" I finally asked, trying to act disinterested as I carefully took step after step on the damp strip of paint on the road.

Paul remained silent for a long second. It took all of my will power to not turn around and look at him, see the things his eyes had to say. But then he sighed.

-"Right now, we're patrolling the woods"

I stopped right on my tracks, surprised as I heard the first verge of undiluted truth. My arms fell limply at my sides, waiting.

-"People've been killed in there"- My eyes ventured to see Paul as he spoke, his voice was soft but there was a strange edge. I looked up to him from under my eyelashes, he wasn't seeing me at all, he stared at the line of trees before us, with a serious look on his face, a knowing look: -"We're just trying to help"

-"You're hunting down the mutant wolves?"-

Paul smirked, looking down on me from the corner of his eye:-"Are you worried?"

-"Why shouldn't I be?"- I shot back, giving him the same look he was giving me to let it very clear the concern was nothing more than human to human.

-"Well, don't be"- He said simply, starting to walk again:-"We know what we're doing"

I followed him silently, still looking at the forest, trying to see what he saw in them, where the danger could be, but I only felt the sense of loneliness as I stared up to the very tip of them, each one resembling dark gashes in the gray sky, they were so prominent I felt like a silly little child for a moment.

I picked up the pace to walk in front of him and then turn to walk backwards, there was no expression in his face.

I sighed:- " Well, that's more than I can say for myself, I have no idea where you can get ice cream in this place"

I felt relieved when I finally ripped a smile off him. A serious Paul was just plain creepy, I tried to smile back when suddenly I missed a step and tripped, I stumbled a bit until my hand found something to hold on to.

I mumbled a curse and looked down to find the source of my near downfall: -"Stupid feet"

Sighing, I pulled my backpack over my shoulder again, the movement making me notice a tug on my right hand, now stuck on whatever I had managed to grab.

-"Ice cream…mmm, well I do happen to know where we can buy it, but…"- Paul paused, as if he were thinking something over as he handled my hand in his, his eyes set on his new found toy, and faked a wince when I tried to pry my hand back, shaking his head he raised his eyes towards mine:- "I'd rather get creative"

I really wasn't liking that little shine in his eyes.

-"You try to kiss me again and I swear to God-"

Paul rolled his eyes and with a small pull he took my backpack, swinging it with his free hand onto his shoulder, all the while dragging me along like a little kid.

-"Hey!" my protest landed on deaf ears. He continued to pull me along, in just the right speed for me to not tier but not be able to stop either. So I was now left helplessly glaring at my own backpack dangling on the idiot's shoulder

-"At times like this I really wish my backpack were pink"- I growled after a few, failed, attempts to retrieve my hostage hand.

Paul smiled back at me.

-"Well pink is a very favoring color for me"

-"Sure it is"- I continued to glare, now at the back of his head, struggling still to free myself, but not as eagerly as before, I gave another futile pull and groaned: - "will you give me my hand back already?"

-"Oh look, we're here"- Paul chipped happily, shamelessly ignoring me and my pulls. I resignedly looked forward to see what the hell he was pointing out.

-"The supermarquet?"- I stared at the squared building rising from the side of the road in all its shiny glory. Paul nodded.

-"Aja, I do know where we can find an ice cream stand but I decided we should try something different"

-"Being creative" I finished for him, still staring at the place as if I were expecting it to turn into an alien mothership in any second.

Paul smiled, nodding while sending me a short look full of mischief: -"What did you think I meant?"

I raised an eyebrow, oh so now I'm the pervert:-" Coming from you, I honestly don't know what to think"

Paul chuckled as he guided me thru the almost empty parking lot, keyword, almost.

-"Let go of my hand or I'll scream"

It took a second, but eventually, reason started to drill into that block head of his and he slowly, but surely, released my hand.

I smiled, arrogantly rubbing my over heated hand: - "Better"

Paul sighed and gracefully opened the door for me: -"After you"

I walked passed him into the store with a hum, somehow, still expecting to see something like "Alien and predator" pop out from behind the stack of Dog Chow.

-"Cory"- A voice called at my side, I turned my head to the source, Paul nodded towards the left with a smile:- "Come on"

I nodded and as I went to meet him, I spotted something pilled near the two way doors.

-"Give me a minute" I said to him as I made a short detour, all the while feeling Paul's curious gaze on my head.

I returned to his side just seconds later, now finding a very amused Paul. I glared, pushing the cart with one foot like a skate board.

-"You like to play with the carts" Paul stated, a very simple tone, but apparently fighting to stop a smile.

I snorted: -"Didn't you have a childhood?"

Paul gave up trying to fight it, he smiled wide and shook his head:- "Ok then"-in a swift move he left my back pack in the cart and came around it to stand behind me: -" Put your foot up"- he said, signalizing the one leg that I used as a peddle. I frowned but did as he said; now fully standing on the low rail of the cart, then a pair of strong copper hands settled on the handle and steadily moved the cart forward.

I turned my head a bit so I could see his face.

Paul shrugged, a wistful shine in his eyes: -"My mom used to do this with me when I was a kid"

I smiled: -"She sounds like a great mom"

He nodded vigorously: -"The best"

I stared at him for a little longer, felling a tinge of pity as I recognized the dull little light in his eyes but at the same time somewhat happy he was sharing this with me, because I know it must be hard for him, so I abstained from asking how old he'd been when she died.

Clearing my throat I turned to look forward, speaking in the finest British accent I could manage:- "Very well then, Mr. Chen, deliver us to the ice cream"

A soft laugh came above me, hot breath blowing small strands of mahogany hair into my face.

-"Al righty, ma'am, you hold on to this here cart"-Paul answered, making it to sound exactly like a hill-billy, I couldn't stop myself, I laughed.

-"It came out so natural"

Paul snorted and purposely blew more locks of hair to my face.

We passed isles and isles of food and other stuff that I honestly didn't know what the hell they were, it was sort of new to be here, since I rarely followed my mom for groceries shopping, that was Leo's job.

We got to the long line of frozen products and stopped, I looked around searching for the ice cream cans, which I found a few feet to the left. I stepped off the cart anyways to walk the rest of the way, but I hadn't counted on how close Paul was.

For a shocked moment, neither one of us moved. I surprised myself by how easily I took the situation, just a step to the side and under his arm as if nothing happened. Though I could still feel the form of his body pressed firmly against my back and the waves of feverish heat he irradiated. I was incredibly calm.

-"The ice cream is over here"- I called back at him, looking over the bunch of cans of all colors and sizes, I shook my head and grabbed a pinkish can turning to face Paul with mock excite: -"Look at this, there's bubble gum flavored ice cream… oohhh, it's low fat too!"

Paul cracked an uncertain smile as he walked to me, I pretended not to notice and left the can back in it's place with a gag, and started to look for something I would actually eat.

-"Which flavor do you want?" I asked Paul, getting nervous from all the silence. I fidgeted with a small can of vanilla ice cream when he came to stand next to me.

He quickly took one chocolate and another chocolate chip can and left them in the cart, my eyes unwillingly followed the ice cream and then let my own little can join them.

-"Vanilla?"

I shrugged: - "I like it"

-"Doesn't look like it"

I shrugged again and maneuvered the can from hand to hand as if it were a basquetball and gently let it fall back into it's place with all the other cans and took a slightly larger one instead.

-"Better?"

Paul nodded sarcastically: -"Better"

-"If I puke I'm gonna do it on you"- I said, starting to push the cart past him towards my next goal: Cookies. I gave him a short look:- "just so you're aware"

-"I'm aware"- Paul joined me shortly and made signs for me to get on the low rail again, which I gladly did, I wasn't on the mood for walking.

-"So is that it?"- He started as he pushed us over to where ever the cookies were: -"You're feeling sick?"

-"Huh?"

-"The faces you were making in the parking lot earlier"- Paul explained, pushing us thru the row of cookies as I grabbed some boxes as we passed. –"that and saying you're a shitty friend, did you puke on someone else already?"

-"Har de har"- I rolled my eyes and dropped the second box of Oreos carelessly into the cart. I peeked back at him with a frown: -"How did you hear that? You weren't even in the parking lot"

My frown deepened as I tried to remember if he had infract been at hearing reach, but honestly, liked it or not. Paul wasn't the type you would miss in an open area. I would have noticed him there right away.

-" I can read lips"

I snorted: -"Yeah right"

-"I'm serious"- Paul beamed down on me as he drove us slowly towards the cashier: -"And I can prove it, choose anyone you want I'll tell you exactly what they're saying"

Raising an inquisitive eyebrow at him I made sure he was serious, which apparently he was. I smiled looking around the store for someone far enough. And…. Aja, perfect

-"Over there"- I pointed to our right, where a young cashier was checking out a cart full of groceries and some guy who kept taping his fingers impatiently as the girl passed a can of tomato sauce over and over the beam without much result. –"what are they saying?"

Paul followed the direction of my finger, and snickered: -"Easy"

One last arrogant smile as he half hid us behind a stack of detergent and leaned forward, loudly clearing his throat, to whisper in my ear:

-"Sir, I think we have a problem"

My breath hitched to a stop, blood streaming fast to my face as I took in the shrilly girly tone Paul had made, perfectly synchronized with the moving of the girls lips.

The man in front of her looked at her with exasperation, his lips moved:

"What would seem to be the problem Kelly?" A deeper, near baritone voice caressed my ear.

The girl raised the can to eye level and slowly turned it around with a confused frown.

-"I don't really know what this is"

This caught the man's interest and reached forward to take a closer look.

-"It appears to be a can"

I shot my hand up to cover my mouth as a stream of laughter started to build up in my chest.

The girl's frown deepened in concentration, taking the can back from the guy and looking at it in different angles.

-"No, I'm not sure it is"- Paul's voice brought on a series of soft shacking as I fought to stay quiet and keep the laughter at bay, but he seemed to notice this and purposely spoke in a more prepy, shriller and nasal tone whilst the girl lifted a phone next to the small counter full of little nothings : -" Let me ask my supervisor"

The girl dilled a couple of numbers and took the phone to her ear as she twirled a blond lock of hair on her index finger.

-"Ring… ring… ring"- I pocked Paul's stomach with my elbow has he started making the obnoxious sound of the phone straight into my ear, his hot breath nearly burning the sensitive skin. He snickered and leaned even closer.

-"Yes, Craig, we have a U.T.O on cashier 3, yes, an Unidentified Tridimensional Object, yes"

I pressed my hand harder over my mouth as a couple of soft giggles escaped from me. God, really?

The girl paused and kept nodding, mean while Paul kept making soft agreeing sounds in the same gayish voice. I didn't know if I was going to be able to stand it much longer

-"Yes, mmm, describe the Unidentified Tridimensional object, yes, ok, mmm"- Paul paused exactly as she did. The girl started to turn the can in her hand again, pouting as she started talking again.

-"Yes, It's sort of roundy, and, kinda long, it seems to be made out of some sort of metallic material… really shiny, sorta cute actually, I think I might buy one too, mmm, yes"- the girl paused giving the can one more look and nodding repeatedly as whoever was on the other line, someone the idiot behind me had so adequately decided to baptize as "Craig", spoke. The girl giggled at something "Craig" had said and stated playing with her hair more viciously.

-"Ok, I'll get one for you too, don't worry, well draw them little faces, they'll be BFF's, thank you Craig, OMG, bye!"

I pushed my other hand over my mouth to press even harder, shaking with contained laughter. I looked over to the girl as she hung up and turned to the very pissed off man with a charming smile and said : "It's a can"

I blew.

-"Stop, please stop"- I pleaded between laughter and harsh gasps for air. Paul chuckled into my shoulder

-"See? Told you I could read lips"

I nodded absently, holding my sore stomach: -"Oh, you certainly can"- I sighed with content- "that was brilliant"

-"Thank you"

-"Now get off of me" I snickered, pushing Paul's chest off my back, he immediately did so and started pushing us towards that same girl he'd just impersonated.

I gave him a short glare as we got to her but was caught up in the fact that "Kelly" was actually Kelly. The shiny little name tag accusingly staring up at us. My glare turned into a sideways glance of suspicion as Paul got the ice cream out of the cart.

Had that been a coincidence or did he actually manage to see the name tag from afar?

I kept my head down as I looked for my bag in my back pack, still thinking in the probabilities of this being true. If I'd heard someone say this about anyone else, I would've probably laughed in their faces, but with Paul, suddenly, this kind of things didn't seem so crazy anymore.

-"So, cash or credit?"- Kelly asked, in the original prepy shrilly and nasal tone Paul had tried to imitate. Again, another wave of uncertainty hit me full on as I saw Paul with the corner of my eye.

-"Credit" I said, giving her my credit card just as Paul had started to get his wallet out. Kelly took it carefully, looking intently at Paul as she did so, as if she expected him to take it from her hand.

Of course he didn't do that, he just looked like he really wanted to. I smiled up at him, my smile feeling much too cold for my taste as I said: -"I invited you, didn't I?"

Paul frowned; staring at me confused, but nodded anyway and put away his wallet. I really hated using that thing, but now it deemed as necessary, besides, I should be sending some signs of life before the phone calls start.

-"Sign here please"- Kelly said, bringing me out of my little world with a startle.

I took the pen Kelly held out to me and signed just where her finger was. I made a fast doodle on the paper and handed it back to her as she gave me the copy. I took it absentmindedly and put it away in my jean pocket.

-"Thank you" I said as we made our way out.

Just as we were crossing the door, behind me came a squeaky yelp: -"Craig! OMG, you scared me!"

The last thing I head before the doors closed after us was the deep laugh of a man.

And as I was very mean for leaving for so long, here is a little piece of something I've been working on for this story, I hope you like it, oh and I'm about to post a story I'm actually planning on continuing, not like Pulling Heaven Down, which I'm dropping, but a new one I can actually see the end of it, it's called "25 to Life" based on an Eminem song I loved, and it fit the story perfectly, it's a Leah/OC, I'm not sure when but I'll be posting it soon.

So on with the spoiler:

I stopped the bike in the makeshift driveway, killing the engine with numb hands as the world seemed to sink in a ghostly silence. I stared at the simple little house, surrounded by carpenter's tools and long pieces of wood half way assembled into what looked like a wardrobe.

I exhaled slowly, getting off the bike with care to not make too sudden movements as I felt again the dull prang of pain invade my wrist and forearm. It would take at least another week for it to be back to normal.

My eyes stuck to the front door of what had been my prison not so long ago, and for some strange reason, the walls seemed bigger, thicker than they had felt when I couldn't get out. I shivered as the small steps of the porch cringed under my feet. I hadn't noticed the rail on the left was missing a chunk on the end. It looked as it had been smashed in half.

My fingers played with the sharp remains of the wood, wondering if it been there before I had managed to run away.

I finally got to the front door, debating on whether to knock or just call out his name, after all, he'd hear me miles away.

'But will he answer?'

The question popped in my head again, doubt filling my chest as I contemplated the possibility, that maybe, things were better off this way, and maybe this was it and he'd finally found a way to let go, just as I'd asked him too… and it was best to end.

The doorknob glared back at me defiantly, as if telling me to step up or back off. I sucked in a heavy amount of air, holding it in as I took and slowly turned the doorknob, a soft click came back, and the door slowly opened way…