chapter 2; irrational.

gracie.

I've always thought of myself as a fairly rational person. I regularly make good judgments and keep a level head in all situations. But he made me feel so irrational. Not in a bad way! No, not like that at all. Maybe it's the wrong choice of words, but this boy was different from anyone whom I had ever talked to in my life. I felt like we had an instant bond, if that makes any sense. The first time he spoke to me, I knew I was in too deep. His voice, calm yet terrified, seemed to sing to me. It was all I could do not to ask him to marry me at that instant. So much for being level headed… He seemed like a lost puppy who had found his owner, and I know that sounds silly, but that's how I felt too. When he asked me to stay, I couldn't help but oblige.

"I have all day, Embry!" I said a little too enthusiastically. Normally I'm a very shy girl, but something in him brought out the courage locked inside me. I knew once I said it that I couldn't really stay; my parents --specifically my step-mother -- didn't exactly approve of me being in La Push at all. I was to be home at six-thirty; no later. However, when I saw how Embry's brown eyes lit up when I said that I figured it was worth a few months of being grounded.

"Good! We'll wait with you, right Jake?" he said, and my heart skipped inside my chest. I didn't think he would have left me alone at a stranger's house, but you never know with boys.

"What brings you down to La Push?" the other boy with him asked. Jake…He was incredibly intimidating. It seemed as though there was a permanent scowl on his face, and his eyes were hardened with some sort of mixture of emotions. It was a contrast to the warm eyes of Embry Call. There was something enigmatic about the both of them, though. Like they weren't like me. I mean, other than not being home schooled, tanned, muscular, incredibly gorgeous, and Quileute.

Jake shot me a glance that screamed "I don't like you", and Embry elbowed him. It almost sounded as if he growled at him, but it was probably my imagination. I hadn't done anything to him and yet my potential soul mate's best friend already hated me. I was off to a great start here in Forks. It was bad enough that the sun never shined in this dratted, tiny town; the one sunny day I've seen since I moved here was marred by Jacob's gray clouds.

"Sorry he's so nosy." Embry quickly apologized for his irritated friend. "Seth's like family and we don't get very many visitors here these days."

He looked at his feet again; he seemed so shy. I don't know if he was intimidated by me or not. Who would be? I cry when I have to kill spiders. I don't think I have the capability in me to be scary.

"Oh, I wonder why? I like it here, from what I've seen," I said, flashing back to my childhood for a brief second. "When I was little, I used to go camping and such all the time. The old-fashioned way, too. Just me, my dad, and a tiny tent. I just moved here, so unfortunately I don't know any good spots yet. I'm originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Oh, I hope you've heard of it. It's a wonderful little city. With a kick-butt hockey team! Unfortunately, that does mean I'm a city girl at heart. But I do like it here! I mean, I really like the rain and the trees. It's so green compared to where I used to live and…" I stammered, turning fifteen different shades of red.

"I digress. I came by here because I volunteered to help out Mrs. Clearwater. She had put up an ad on our church's bulletin board, and I thought it would be a nice idea. Plus, I just wanted to meet new people," I explained, gesturing to the box setting on the ground next to my dusty high heels. "I knew a little about Mrs. Clearwater's situation and couldn't help but offer my services. She told me that her son Seth would be by to let me in so I could deliver the groceries, but he hasn't showed yet. And that's where you guys come in…"

I laughed a little, feeling silly. Telling two boys I just met half of my life story…What kind of spell did this place put on me? Julianne, my step-mother, would undoubtedly be upset if she found out that I was talking to boys. And not only that, but they were La Push boys. We'd head straight to church and she'd have me exorcised or something weird like that. I was the only good daughter she had left, and she was determined to keep me purer than winter's first snow. Unluckily for me, I don't share the same devout spirit that she does and that has caused me a lot of trouble. Since it's only me, Julianne, and Dad in the house now it has caused a bit of a schism in my family.

"Do you think Seth will be back soon? I kind of lied earlier; my mom needs me home soon," I asked, definitely not wanting to leave. Compared to my house, this place was like heaven. Four brothers and one sister plus mom and dad crammed into a house as small as ours made for uncomfortable living conditions, at best.

I looked over at Embry, who looked away from me as soon as we made eye contact.

"Well, I can let you in if you need me to. I have a spare key," he said, rifling through his pockets. "Aha! This should do the trick."

I watched as his lanky frame strode up to the door and unlocked it for me. He grabbed the box next to my feet and lifted it off the ground in one fluid motion. He was easily the most graceful boy I have ever seen, and my eldest brother studies ballet. Embry disappeared for a few moments before returning empty handed. All I could muster was a giddy "Thank you" and steal a glance as he returned to his spot next to Jake.

"Mission accomplished," he replied, a smile spreading across his bronzed face.

"I guess so. Well, I should probably get out of here. Mother will probably be angry if I don't make it home in time to make dinner. It was really nice meeting you, Embry. You too, Jake. Hopefully I'll see you around…"

I didn't want to leave. Really, I didn't. I wanted nothing more than to stay in La Push forever that day. I felt as though I could have stayed on the Clearwater's porch for an eternity. But it was bye-bye Embry, hello house of eight once again. It was time for me to come back to reality. But it was nice being irrational, even if it was only a few hours' worth. I waved and turned to leave La Push for a while, my brain soaking up as much imagery as it could in the short seconds it took for me to start for my little blue Hybrid. However, before I could even take a step, I felt an unnaturally warm hand encircling my wrist.