Enigmatical
By wired2damoon
Chapter 16: Sick And Suspicious
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my friend Siobhán, she's such a distraction!!! She's a fruit-basket! Enjoy my fellow hyperactive amigo!
- Nessie's POV -
"So, she just locked herself in her room?" came the heavenly, sweet voice, wafting down the stairs and into the living room. I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time in the last two hours. I was just feeling so helpless…
"Yeah, I begged her to come out but she wouldn't. Finally, Lana came home, I explained the situation to her and left, promising Claire that I'd come with her mom to collect her from school. I feel terrible for leaving her…" I trailed off, head in my hands.
Two cold, pale hands came to rest on either side of my face. "Nessie…" my aunt Alice cooed, sitting down beside me on the couch, "you are a great friend to Claire, but its understandable. She had to go to bed, there's nothing you could have done to make her feel better other than what you already tried."
I sighed, taking my aunts hands away from my face and squeezing them gently, "I know, I know, I just feel…like somehow, I could have prevented this. I mean if she only knew about the imprinting then all of this would go away, but Quil is just being too damn stubborn-"
Alice cut me off with a snort, "yeah, stubbornness tends to be a common trait with those guys. But still, I can see where he's coming from, I mean, Claire is still extremely young, barely seventeen…"
"Mom was seventeen when she fell in love with dad," I replied automatically, "and I mean she didn't even know of the existence of werewolves or vampires, at least Claire does. I just wish he'd tell her and put us all out of our misery," I sighed, again.
A soft chuckle omitted from my pixie-like aunt, "yes well it seems that love isn't quite that easy…although I'm sure you've had first hand experience knowing just how difficult being with the one you love, truly is…" she replied cryptically, her knowing, golden eyes dancing with amusement.
I groaned at her words, "oh please, do not get me started on my own non-existent love-life, dad will be back in a minute and I really don't want to have another conversation of just exactly why his stupid rules are the right thing for me!"
Alice laughed, her high-pitched tone echoing in the room as she danced over to the table and began watering the flowers. She was humming lowly to herself, her angelic voice not so appealing to the ears as say Esme's, but I smiled all the same. Alice always made me smile.
"I just, I don't know how Claire's going to act around Cody and Quil now," I murmured, looking out the window and watching the rain drops softly splash as they hit the ground.
Alice, without turning around, heaved a deep sigh, "believe me Nessie, I wish I could tell you…"
- Claire's POV -
My eyes drifted closed for the third time in the last hour. Just as I expected, no sooner had my eyes succumbed to darkness they were jerked open again when a sharp pain wafted through my arm.
"Ow! Quit doing that!" I grumbled to Erin, rubbing my arm where she just elbowed me. She rolled her eyes, "I'll stop doin' it when you stop fallin' asleep! That's the third time and its not even lunch yet." Sighing, I repeated the words I'd been saying all morning, "yeah well, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
I almost snorted at my obvious understatement, "actually, try no sleep at all last night, I just stayed awake and stared up at my ceiling."
A sympathetic look passed over Erin's face, "has Quil answered any of your calls?"
I looked around the classroom from where we sat at the very back table, Mr Woodruffe was busy writing equations on the chalkboard and none of our fellow students were paying any attention whatsoever to him or to us.
I kept my voice as low as possible, "no, he hasn't. Its so weird I mean, its not like Quil at all. I could tell yesterday he was a bit freaked out at seeing me kiss Cody, but I don't see why he's making such a big deal about it…"
Erin looked like she badly wanted to say something but before she could open her mouth, our math teacher turned back around and began addressing the class. It seemed out little chat was being postponed for now…
"Oh dear God, that was the longest class I think I've ever sat through," groaned Erin as we made our way to the cafeteria. I laughed and shook my head, linking my arm through hers. "You've a long way to go Erin, its only your first day."
It seemed though, that even with the "long" classes, Erin was enjoying her time at La Push High School. She felt a little out of place though (which is understandable as most of the kids in this place are Native American and she isn't even American) but I soon assured her that this was my third year here and I still didn't fit in anywhere, so there was really nothing to worry about.
"So, where's this amazing friend you were dying to introduce me to?" she asked as we stood in line for food.
"Oh that's Kara, she's a senior, she moved here last year from Missouri, she only called me last night, she's been away all summer at camp, she said she'd meet us in here," I told her as I rapidly filled my tray. Hey, I'm a girl who happens to like my food, thank you very much.
Once we'd paid for our meal, my eyes darted around for a place to sit, that's when I noticed someone wave at me from the back of the room.
"Its Cody," Erin confirmed unnecessarily, "are we gonna sit with him?"
I froze, not knowing what to do, or say but fortunately I was saved, for the moment anyway.
"Claire!" came the screech of a familiar voice, making me smiled broadly and turn around. There stood a 5'10" red-headed girl, beaming down at me, her perfectly straight, white teeth in full view.
"Kara," I said warmly, putting down my tray on a near-by chair and hugging her tightly. After a moment, we stood back and I took the opportunity to introduce Erin.
"Kara this is Erin, the girl from Ireland I told you about and Erin this is my friend Kara."
They smiled at each other and shook hands, exchanging "nice to meet yous."
Unfortunately, after all the introductions were made, we found ourselves looking around for a table and once again Cody caught my eye, smiled and motioned for us to join him.
"Ooh that's the new guy," Kara smirked slyly, "I've English with him, he's so hot! Oh my god, Claire, he waved at you! Do you know him? Oh, look! He wants us to come over!"
A familiar smile came to my face as Kara talked, she had the funniest voice when she got excited.
Accepting that I'd no alternative, I made my way over to the table where Cody and two other guys I vaguely recognised were sitting.
Well, this should be…interesting?
- Quil's POV -
I rubbed my eyes roughly, leaning back on my chair and yawning widely. It had been one hell of a day. I'd been talking with clients all morning, working on an engine that seemed determined to keep dying on me and successfully dodged my friends' frequent troubled glances all frickin' day. But even all this was not what was making me feel so down in the dumps, it was the fact that usually after a day like I've had, I'd cheer myself up by going to see the most important person in my life, but today, of all days, that just wasn't an option.
I sighed deeply and sat forward, banging my fists lightly on the desk - watching as it shook violently but did not splinter (I'd been careful when choosing it for these exact purposes) and shook my head. I was slowly beginning to drive myself crazy, I'm not kidding. The more I tried to not think about…it…the more I tortured myself trying to think about other things. It was a nightmare, granted, not as bad as the nightmares I endured last night (when I finally did manage to fall asleep) but still, pretty bad.
Just as I heaved another sigh, I heard footsteps approaching. I sat up straight and pretended to look immersed in paperwork, silently praying that it wasn't another client, my mind just wasn't in it today.
"You don't need to pretend to be busy Quil, its just me," came a familiar voice. I looked up, gob smacked as I saw Courtney/Rachel standing there looking gleeful.
Oh shit…
"Courtney…uh…Rachel?" I mumbled, it coming out as a question. This seemed to amuse her, "ah yes, Nessie said she told you. I never understood why you weren't in on it in the first place, please, call me Rachel…"
I just gaped at her, my mouth hanging open, utterly unsure of what to do.
She sauntered slowly towards my desk, her hips swaying from side to side in a way that would make a man (who isn't completely and utterly devoted/bound to only one woman) drool worse than a basset hound. Silently, her eyes boring into mine, she took the seat opposite me and leaned across the table, propping up her elbows and resting her chin in her hands. All she was short of doing was batting her eyelashes at me!
"How-how do you know Nessie anyway?" I asked nervously, merely to break the extremely tense silence, well, tense for me anyway.
She threw me her 100 watt, fake-ass smile, "oh we met last year at a fashion show in Berlin. Her sister Alice has quite the eye for clothing, although I must say, Nessie doesn't have the same vision…" she trailed off for a moment, as if accessing her judgement, "but all the same, even if fashion isn't quite her thing, she's a nice girl…at least I thought she was up until a few days ago."
My attention was immediately peaked, "what do you mean?" I asked, almost fearful of the answer. She leaned even closer to me, so close in fact that her perfume was beginning to smother me.
"Well, it seems that Nessie isn't at all happy at the idea of you and I dating in reality, you know, as Quil and Rachel, at least that was the impression I got from our phone conversation…"
I took her pause as opportunity to take a deep breath and carefully choose my words. "Rachel…" I began timidly, "you're a wonderful girl, beautiful, smart and funny but-but I'm not interested in you in that way, I-I'm sorry but my heart belongs to someone else…" okay, so I know the last bit was sort of cheesy but it was out of my mouth before I could stop it. Claire tends to bring out the big, sappy, romantic in me.
I watched impatiently as her face moulded into a frown, her bottom lip pouting a bit. When she still didn't say anything I began to grow nervous. Suddenly, the words Embry had spoken the night of my date echoed in my brain, so I decided to take his advice.
"I know I'm an ass-"
"-Claire?" she interrupted me abruptly, her face still frowning, her voice sounding a little hurt.
"Uh…what?" I asked confusedly.
"Is Claire the girl who owns your heart?" she asked quickly, her tone starting to sound a little hysterical.
I sat in silence, completely stumped on how to respond. On one hand I know that it was useless lying to her as I know that Nessie already told her I was in love with Claire, but on the other hand I didn't want to give this potential nut-job any ammo to hurt my girl.
"…I-" it seemed my pause told her what she needed to know. Grumbling to herself furiously, she nodded her head, stood up quickly, turned her back and stormed towards the doorway. Just as she wrenched it open, she whirled around and glared at me, "you ought to be ashamed of yourself - that girl is far too young for you," she spat and I grimaced as she stressed the word 'girl'.
"You're sick!" she snarled, whirling back around and storming out, slamming the door behind her.
I let out a low whistle of relief as I heard her car pull away, but I can't say that I feel a whole lot better, worse even. I mean Jesus, I told Courtney/Rachel I was twenty-two and she still thinks I'm too old for Claire? I hate to think what her reaction would have been if she knew that I'm actually nearly a decade older…
Maybe she's right, maybe I am sick…
- Claire's POV -
"So, how did Erin's first day go?" Cody asked with a soft smile. I angled my head to look at him properly and noticed that he was looking a little pale.
"Oh yeah it was good…how are you Cody? It was your first day too," I mumbled, a little unnerved as I looked closer at him and realised that he did not look well at all.
"Oh, I'm alright, I mean I knew it would be hard coming to a new High School on my senior year but I'm managing," he smiled again, but this time I noticed he grimaced a little.
It was the first time today that we'd been entirely alone (and by that I mean we were standing in a crowded hallway waiting a few feet away as Erin and Kara grabbed books from their lockers) and I desperately wanted to discuss our kiss yesterday but had no idea where to begin.
"Listen, Claire, about yesterday…"
God I swear this guy can read minds, ha I wonder what would happen if I put him and Edward in a room? Focus Claire, focus! I scolded myself, realising he was still talking.
"I'm sorry for what happened, I-I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything but I-I really wanted to kiss you…" he finished quietly and I immediately felt the blood flow to my cheeks rapidly.
I lowered my gaze to the ground and mumbled softly, "well that's alright because I really wanted you to kiss me…"
Oh seriously, what is wrong with me? Not only am I lying through my teeth but I'm being grossly mushy too…eww!
He laughed then but it wasn't his usual, boisterous tone, it was more, withdrawn, caged. "Well, that's a relief," he murmured softly.
I looked up and tried desperately to smile at him, I really did, instead however I asked, "Cody are you sure you're alright? You look a little sick…"
He brushed me off instantly with an unconcerned, light-hearted wave, "nah I'm good Claire, just think I'm getting a cold, that's all…"
I couldn't help but get the feeling he was hiding something but before I could open my mouth we were rejoined by Erin and Kara.
Looks like I'd just have to be silently suspicious for now…
- Nessie's POV-
"What do you mean she just walked into your office?" I asked worriedly, gripping my phone a little too tightly, ignoring the puzzled glances of my family.
"I mean, she just walked straight into my office, sat down and started talking to me…it was weird Nessie," came Quil's reply and I could tell that he was more than a little freaked out.
I sighed deeply, stood up and began pacing around the living room. "Okay, so the worst she said was that you ought to be ashamed of yourself blah, blah, blah, but I mean, surely that's the end of it? She won't be a problem anymore right? She didn't say anything cryptic before she left did she?"
As silence engulfed the other end of the phone, I took the opportunity to look around myself. My mom and dad were sitting at the piano, eyebrows raised, Rosalie and Emmett were on the couch exchanging curious glances whilst Alice and Jasper stood by the window, frowning.
"…No, she didn't really say anything, threatening, she just called me sick and stormed out…"
My heart sank, poor Quil. He sounded so dejected, hurt, but worst of all, he sounded like he believed every word that psycho said to him, "you listen to me Quil Ateara, don't you dare believe a word that woman said to you. She was just bitter that you've no interested in her, sour grapes, that's all…"
I heard him grumble lowly and bit my lip, I hated hearing anyone like this, especially someone like Quil who can't help his imprinting. I was beginning to feel the helplessness seep back through my veins.
I reassured him as much as I could but I knew that only one person could lift him from this mood, and it wasn't like we could let Claire know that Quil's all down in the dumps because he feels sick at the thought that he imprinted on a girl fourteen years his junior. Somehow I knew Claire wouldn't really be over the moon about that.
"Look Quil, you haven't doubted your and Claire's relationship in a long time and you know that we all understand and I'm sure she will too when you finally tell her and that's all that matters," I said determinedly.
He sighed, thanked me and hung up. I stood for a moment, listening to the dial tone. Slowly, I turned and saw my family members all looking at me with interest. "Is he okay?" my mom asked, walking over to me.
I shrugged, knowing that they all heard the conversation anyway so there was no point in retelling it. "I suppose, he just feels a little, I don't know, worried I guess. Alice, can you see anything about Rachel?" I asked, turning towards my aunt curiously.
I stared at her beautiful, pale face that now had gone completely blank, a face she always got when she was scouring. She shook her head, "nothing's coming to me…"
I frowned, "is that good or bad?"
She looked pensive, "well…that all depends, my vision usually gets fogged when someone's future gets involved with a shape-shifter so, I can't really be sure," she grumbled, looking highly frustrated. I know it bugged her that she couldn't see everyone's fate, including mine.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes, "dad, do you think if I could get her over here you could read her mind?"
Edward looked a little dubious for a second, "no one is supposed to know we're here Nessie, you told her yourself that you're still in France…"
I folded my arms and shook my head, knowing he was right. The only person that was safe to roam about Forks and La Push was me.
"Well…I'm at a loss of what to do…I guess I'm just going to have to hope that we've seen the last of her…" I mumbled, turning away from them all.
- Unknown POV -
I pulled up outside the gates and killed the engine. I grabbed my bag-pack from the back seat and pulled out the small, digital camera. Craning my neck I waited impatiently as the many varying students pilled out of the High School.
I squinted against the rare sunlight that was shining outside and raised the camera as soon as the familiar figure that I'd been waiting for, came into view. Been quick, I snapped many pictures as they stood with their friends at the gate, I knew I only had a few seconds before they spotted their ride and left.
A smirk came to my face as I saw their care-free expression whilst they ran across the road with a girl with long, black and purple hair.
Soon Claire, soon… I thought, my fingers caressing the screen of my digital camera.
Yes Quil, you haven't seen the last of me…
A/N: DUN DUN DUN! Psychotic!!! Did you like it? If so, let me know! Thankies to all my amazing reviewers!! -wired2damoon- x