Enigmatical

By wired2damoon

Chapter 4: Hunks And Hot Chocolate

A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the lovely reviews, it means so much to me. Hopefully I'll get some more soon, enjoy! -wired2damoon-

- Claire's POV -

I always said it would never happen to me.

I would not dare resort to such antics, I was smarter and more socially independent then that.

But unfortunately, some jackass (fate? Not that I believed in such things) with a sick sense of humour - thought differently.

And so…I fell in love.

Or rather, I fell in lust, at the tender age of sixteen, with a guy named Cody, (oh yes you heard me right), Cody Daniels.

Now, the reason I always swore I would never fall in love (or lust - the juvenile, teenage equivalent) was the sheer fact that deep down, I knew, it would never last.

I mean really, who finds their "true love" when they're barely old enough to drive?

But amazingly, it did happen, beginning on that horrid, disastrous day of dress-fitting with my step-monster-to-be.

There I was, just minding my own business, bobbing my head to my iPod's "rock classics" play list when out of nowhere, (not literally - he actually came from across the street) I smacked head-first into an extremely solid surface.

Seriously, I must of looked like such an idiot, exclaiming what sounded like "oomph!" before falling flat on my ass.

It's official, I'm a klutz.

But hey, I'd never admit it aloud.

"Hey why don't you watch where you're walking you -"

Now to be brutally honest, never, in all my sixteen years, have I ever found myself at a loss for words…until now.

There I sat on my ass on the cold, wet, (hello its La Push), stone pavement, looking up at the closest thing to a God I've ever seen in my entire life.

And no, I did not hit my head when I fell, he really was that good-looking.

So, now you know why I broke off mid-rant.

So I was having a shitty day? There was no need to inflict my rare-bout of rudeness on the dreamy stranger.

Eww did I just say dreamy? Oh God.

"Oh I'm sorry, here," Mr Handsome (well I have to call him something) said, extending his beautifully tanned hand for me to take.

I was always jealous of tanned people. I guess I was never destined to have a tan, my father being from Alaska and my mother being half-Irish.

"Uh thanks", was the only "intelligent" thing that came out of my mouth as my hand clasped his.

We had managed to avoid eye-contact up until that point, but now that I had been pulled to my feet, (my hand still resting in his) I felt my eyes being drawn to his.

They were the most vivid lime-green eyes I had ever seen and I almost gasped at their intensity.

Oh wow, I'm really hitting Cheeseville now aren't I?

Ok, I'll lay off on the mushy crap.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his angelic, (sorry) voice asked, his grip tightening slightly.

Now, if I had been "normally functioning" Claire I would have had some witty or sarcastic remark up my sleeve but unfortunately that Claire seemed to have taken a sudden vacation.

And in came, awkward, embarrassed, fumbling Claire.

Fan-freaking-tastic.

"Uh s-sure, I-I'm fine", I smiled a little too widely, stumbling over my words (and hating myself), clutching his hand in a death-grip unbeknownst.

A small smile graced his face (making him appear even more God-like) as he replied, "good, good. I was afraid my clumsiness might of hurt you. I'm Cody by the way, Cody Daniels."

"Uh, I'm Claire, Claire Young."

And so, with that little ice-breaker, our conversation took off.

Of course, I apologized for yelling at him, assuring him that I was the clumsy one, but he would have none of it.

Such a gentleman.

Oh Jesus, I think I'm actually going to throw up.

I hate chivalry.

It's just a bunch of sexist crap! I mean for Christ's sake, a girl can open her own damn door and pull out her own damn chair!

So, why was I feeling hypocritical when he asked me to the diner to buy me an "I'm sorry I walked smack into you" hot-chocolate?

Dammit Claire! Get a grip!

"So have you been hiding under a rock or something? I've never seen you around before", I stated casually, beginning to feel more like the old-me once I was steadily sat down with a steamy cup of goodness on front of me.

Cody laughed his gorgeous laugh (gag), "I just moved here three weeks ago actually, was just out for a walk, you know, getting my bearings. What about you? You live here all your life."

It was too easy to talk to him - completely effortless.

So I was only a little surprised when during our conversation I took a glance at my watch and realised we had been talking for over an hour.

"Oh shit, Quil!" I exclaimed suddenly, my eyes bulging as I remembered I told him I'd drop by his place for a pizza and a movie.

"Quil?" Cody asked, frowning slightly.

Was it just me or did he sound a little disappointed?

Or am I just delusional?

Maybe it's a bit of both…

"Yeah, he's just a friend of mine." Seriously, why was I explaining my relationship-status with Quil to a complete stranger?

"I promised him I'd meet him and a few others for a movie at seven", I gushed, my cheeks reddening.

Others, what others? Stop lying Claire!

"Oh okay, well it was nice meeting you Claire", Cody smiled, standing up from the booth as I put my coat on.

"Yeah, you too Cody", I replied, a little disappointed to be leaving.

Fortunately, Cody seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

"Hey, uh, maybe we can do this again sometime?" he suggested off handily, pulling it off well - I might add.

I grinned, the words were like music to my ears (more gagging), "yeah sure, I'd like that."

Geez Claire, why don't you just invite him over to your house for some hot, raw sex while you at it? You don't even know this guy! I scolded myself, except the voice sounded more like a certain werewolf then it did me.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not stupid, I carry around a can of mace in my purse at all times and have awesome self-defence mechanisms, so I didn't really sense any danger with having a hot chocolate with a guy in a public diner.

But maybe it wasn't time to exchange phone numbers just yet…

"How about we meet back here, what time's good for you?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't pressure me for my number. If he did, he'd get a good ass-kicking, public place and god-like hot or not.

"Yeah sure, that's great, how about same time tomorrow?" he beamed, flashing me a glimpse of his pearly-whites.

Fortunately, I was dignified enough not to go weak at the knees, just barely though…

"Y-Yeah, tomorrow's good," I mumbled, trying to fight the fogginess that was now ensnaring my brain.

"Guess I'll see ya then", he replied as we walked out the door.

"Yeah, bye," I responded, watching silently as he gave me a small wave and walked away, around a corner and out of sight.

Oh dear God.

I have a date! Well…sort of.

How the hell am I going to tell Quil?

"And seriously, I looked like a fairy wrapped in cotton candy", I spat bitterly between bites of my cheese pizza as Quil put in the DVD and pressed play.

Quil turned his head to look at me as we sat side by side on his enormous, seriously comfortable couch, a small smirk playing about his lips. "Aww c'mon Claire-bear, it can't have been that bad."

I snorted loudly as the movie credits began, "yeah well, you weren't there…"

Quil only nudged my shoulder and fell quiet, focusing on the TV.

I turned my head too, beginning to get engrossed already, so much so that I almost didn't hear his reply: "yeah well, I'm sure you looked beautiful anyway."

I felt a rush of blood spread to my cheeks, a little grin gracing my face.

Why was it that only Quil could get away with saying something like that?

Well, I'm sure Cody could get away with it too, my mind answered coyly.

Shaking my head, I banished the thoughts that had begun forming, this was not the time or place for my adolescent musings…

And definitely not the time to tell Quil that I'd finally found a boy I was interested in…

Ever since I can remember, the most protective person in my life was not my mother, my father (as if), or my sister, no, it was Quil Ateara.

He went crazy over everything.

Claire, don't run too fast you might fall and hurt yourself!

Claire, don't eat that cookie yet, its too hot!

And when I got a little older…

Claire, put something over that top, its like an igloo outside!

Claire, put on your helmet, it could save your life one day.

But the most annoying type of protectiveness had begun as soon as I hit around thirteen and began to take mild interest in the phenomenon that was boys.

Claire, never give out your number to a guy you just met, they could be anything, stalkers, rapists, murderers…

Claire, guys your age only want one thing, never let them pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do.

But the one that always takes the cake for me is…

Claire, you'd tell me if a guy ever hurt you right? Because I'd knock them from into next century if they did. Never forget that.

Good, old Quil, always looking out for me, like a best friend should.

But seriously, up until now, he never had to worry about me and the opposite sex.

I never was all that interested and as far as I knew, the feeling was entirely mutual with every guy in my high-school.

But Cody Daniels was the new kid.

And was taking somewhat of an interest.

Probably a purely platonic one though, I mean who am I kidding?

What would a model-look-alike want with a chubby Plain-Jane like me?

I'm not anything exceptional.

Especially when it comes to physical appearance.

But still, the fact still remained, I had a "social gathering" with a boy.

My only problem, (apart from the obviousness that was he was way out of my league) was that I had an insane over-protective brother-type, ready to maim any guy that ever had the potential of harming me, emotionally or otherwise.

How the hell was I supposed to tell him? Quil, my personal bodyguard.

And suddenly, as if I had been struck by a ton of bricks, it hit me!

I had the perfect plan to get Quil Ateara to stop worrying about my love-life (non-existent or not).

I, Claire Young, was going to get him his own love-life.

I, Claire Young, was going to find my best friend, Quil Ateara, his dream woman.

Even if it killed me.

A/N: Well there you have it! Ooh, what's Claire going to do? Will she ever realise that Quil is so over-protective for a reason that goes beyond best friend and older-brother habits? Stay tuned to find out! Wow...that sounded like the ending to a cheesy sitcom. Oh well, review please and you will get a virtual hug!! -wired2damoon- xx