Author's Note: Been a while, but uni just ended for me and I was drunk enough to write this without questioning my writing abilities too much (still am though). Hopefully I'll be more consistent throughout my break, just know that I haven't abandoned this. With that said, here is a mediocre chapter, but you'll probably want to stick around for the end.

The thing about your boyfriend admitting he was a shape-shifter when you've had a glass or two of wine is that you're tipsy enough to accept it. The next day, however, when you've sobered up and he's lying next to you, it's not entirely easy to accept, especially when you haven't slept the entire night. It was about five in the morning when I rolled out of bed, bags under my eyes, to make myself a much deserved cup of tea.

I sat on the kitchen counter, sipping slowly and thoughtfully, when Seth joined me. All I could muster was a nod in his direction, as if we were casual acquaintances.

"Look," He started, interpreting my look. "Despite how well you took it, this is obviously a shock."

"A shock would be you becoming pregnant after us not actually having sex." I said casually, holding back an unintentional grin when he blushed at the word sex.

"Er, yeah. Bit more than a shock I guess." He said awkwardly.

I sighed, looking into my tea. "I just don't know how to really act around you now."

He cringed at my honesty.

"Not like that," I quickly added. "I still enjoy your company, but it's just… strange."

There was a pregnant pause in which Seth began to busy himself making toast.

"How about I call Kim and Emily?" He asked suddenly. "They've been through it before – they can probably help you deal with this better than I can. I'll invite them over – I'll take Molly to Seattle for the day."

"You'd do that?" I asked, sounding surprised at his niceness, even though I wasn't.

"Yeah, we'll sightsee, we'll –" He shuddered. "Shop."

I jumped off the bench and touched his face tenderly before leaving the room. I decided to busy myself for a couple of hours by attempting my personal essay for my college application. There were so many influential moments that influenced my life – falling in love with my gay best friend, dating a shape-shifter, my mother threatening to take away my only family – however, they weren't things I could realistically enclose on a personal essay without people thinking I was on heavy drugs. Eventually, I wrote about the consuming aspect of life that was adulthood. I doubted it was original or thought provoking, but I hoped the way I approached it was enough to get me over the line.

About half way though I heard Seth and Molly leave for Seattle. I knew she was excited despite her external angsty protests as she had never been, and it only made me like Seth more (and want to rip his clothes off more, but that's not relevant).

While I was writing my concluding statement, I heard the doorbell ring and was met with Kim, Emily, and two bottles of cheap wine.

"Two bottles is enough right?" Kim asked. "I wanted to get four but Emily wouldn't let me."

"Someone has to be responsible, it isn't even midday yet." Emily said as they entered over the threshold. "But that's not important – how are you Ginger?"

"Thirsty." Was all I could manage before retrieving three glasses from the kitchen cupboard.

By the time we had sat down and Kim had poured us generous glasses of wine, my thoughts were whirling through my mind.

"So, Seth's a shape-shifter," Kim said rather casually after taking a gulp of her wine. "As are all our significant others."

"Isn't it a bit weird?" I asked hesitantly.

"Oh I'd say it's more than a bit weird." Kim said.

"But you know, and you're obviously okay with it." I reasoned.

"Jarred told me in high school, it's been years since and I only really came to terms with it just before we got engaged."

"And you stayed with him?" I asked.

Kim and Emily scoffed at the same time.

"Why wouldn't you?" Emily said. "Look, I don't know how Seth explained imprinting to you but you should hear about it from the receiving end. I was skeptical when Sam eventually explained it to me, but when you notice the things the does for you, the way the speaks to you… There will never be another man alive who loves you as much as your imprint."

"Except it's more than love," Kim interjected thoughtfully. "More than companionship as well, it's indescribable really. It's like finding your other half you didn't know you actually needed, but so much more. You are made for Seth the way I am made for Jarred, and Emily for Sam."

I nursed my wine thoughtfully. "It's not that I don't like Seth because I really do, I think I'm quite close to –" I looked over my shoulder sketchily, as if he'd be listening in. "Actually loving him, but it's happening so fast. I know that he feels for me so indescribably, God knows why, but because it's happening so fast there's so much pressure to feel the same."

Kim shook her head, placing her glass down on the table. "That's the thing about imprinting – even though it determines who a shape-shifter is most compatible with in the entire world, if you don't feel the same he'll accept it."

"If you don't accept Seth as a partner, he'll be overjoyed to just be in your life – even as a friend. Obviously he'll always want more, but your wishes are much more important than his own in his eyes." Emily finished.

"But that's-" I started, struggling to find the words to express what I was feeling. "But that's stupid – his life shouldn't revolve around me, it should revolve around him and what makes him happy."

"But you make him happy." Kim said knowingly, sipping her wine.

"Look, it's hard to accept if you even have a shred of modesty – a guy dedicating his life to you? It's almost creepy from an outsider's perspective, don't get me wrong. However, it's not like shape-shifting makes sense, why should this?" Emily asked.

"Because it's our relationship – my first relationship." I admitted, blushing at my lack of sexual appeal. "It should make sense, and it did before he told me."

"What's changed?" Kim asked, eyebrows raised.

I stared at her incredulously. "Well, apart from the whole shape-shifter thing-"

"Apart from that. What's changed about your relationship?" Kim pressed.

"Well, nothing I suppose." I said hesitantly.

"You still feel the same about him?" She continued.

"Yes." I sighed, my resolve breaking.

"That's what matters, Ginger." Emily said softly. "You still feel the same about him, you know he's crazy, well – more than crazy about you."

"This thing – this shape-shifting," Kim started. "It's who he is and he can't change it – it's not like leaving dirty dishes around the house, which Jarred does regardless, it's not a habit. It's the way he is, just like how you are is definitive. He's accepted you the way you are, and if you love – sorry, like him enough, you should do the same."

"The thing is," I said slowly. "I think I already have."

Kim let out a cheer, pouring me another glass of wine in celebration. She stopped short, however, when the doorbell rang. Eyebrows raised, I excused myself to answer the door. Standing on the porch, looking sullen, eyes narrowed, was a woman a little older than me with clear russet skin and cropped dark hair. I stared at her and she steadily glared back.

"Hi – I'm staying a couple of days." Was all she said.

"Er, I think we have a make-out room you could use." I offered, a little bewildered.

"Who is it?" Emily asked from the kitchen. I could hear her get up and make her way to the front door. "Oh – Leah?"

"Guess I better get another wine glass." Was all I could manage.