Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Twilight
Authors note: Here's the next chapter and it's a bit longer than the last like I said. Now that I have the three stories, I'll just write and update whatever one I feel like so they're written as good as they can be. If I try and force myself to write it will just be rushed and rubbish.
The first couple of chapter will just be Leah and her imprint together but some of the other characters will be introduced, including some of the Cullen's, later in the story.
Anyway, thanks for the reviews and here's the next chapter.
Understanding but not forgiveness
My fierce grip tightened around Jake's arm as the dark haired boy stood up and walked out of the shop, straight towards me. I could feel shake struggling furiously against my hold and trying to pry my fingers off him but the only thing that mattered to me was the tall, dark and handsome boy, no, man, walking towards me.
"Leah, let go of me before you break my arm." I was vaguely aware of Jacob hissing that request at me and loosened my hold automatically at the slightly commanding tone in his voice. "What are you staring at?" I could see him in my peripheral vision take a step towards me and look in the direction my eyes were focused.
I was furious with myself for reacting this way; unable to function because of one guy. Urgh, how clichéd is that? Going weak at the knees, love a first sight? All absolute crap but now, well, now I felt my whole perspective on that changing as I stood here staring at the boy walking toward me like an idiot. But, heck, he was gorgeous and now mattered more than anything else in the world to me.
Everything else seemed to fade away as he reached the door, stepping out side and coming just that little bit closer to me. The only sounds I was aware of were the pounding of my heart in my ears, the increased heart beat of this gorgeous man walking towards me and the distant sound of Jake's voice as he tried to talk to me. I ignored him on any normal day but now I was completely oblivious to anything he was saying and to be honest I couldn't give a damn.
It was now, for the first time in my life, that I actually understood what happened to Sam. He had no choice. He had to be with Emily no matter what the cost. My hatred for him had faded but not entirely vanished. I would still blame him for all the pain I felt for all those years but now I had the chance to have someone who would love me no matter what and if it was the last thing I did, I was going to take that chance as long as he would have me. What little love I still felt for Sam under all the pain had completely evaporated the second I laid my eyes on the dark brown eyes of the man making his way towards me. I admit; I understood Sam's reasons, I knew why he did what he did but I still couldn't bring myself to forgive him. That, in itself, was impossible.
The dark haired man had stopped just a few feet in front of my, giving me a warm smile, and I realised how tall he was. I, being a werewolf, was abnormally tall, much taller than I would have been if I hadn't been born with the werewolf gene but he was still a few inches taller than me. He seemed to radiate an air of confidence which, no doubt, was because of the amount of girls that willingly threw themselves at him. If there was one thing I hated, excluding vampires, was people like him; players, Guys who just used girls and threw them aside like they meant absolutely nothing. But I couldn't bring myself to even dislike this man in front of me. There was no way I was going to allow myself to become one of those helpless girls falling head-over-heels for him but, I guess, it was too late for that. I already had. I couldn't walk away if I tried. Damn imprinting. Why did it have to be so inconvenient?
"I guess I'll see you later. I'm going to take Nessie back now." I heard Jacob say and tore my gaze away from the man in front of me to see Jake giving me a knowing smile, raising his eyebrows with a look of smugness across his features. Oh, he would get it later but for now, it would look a bit strange to on-lookers if I broke his nose in public. So I had to settle with giving him a glare, promising I would wipe that smug smile off his face.
I turned to look back at the dark haired man in front of me and returned his smile with one of my own. "I'm David." He introduced himself and held his hand out towards me.
"Leah." I stated and took his hand. I can't say I wasn't surprised when he tugged my arm gently and pulled me towards him, placing a light kiss on my cheek. Usually, I would be likely to knock the guy out for doing that but the thought didn't even cross my mind. All I did was stand there and blush like an idiot. Great.
"It's a beautiful name, suits you perfectly." He grinned at me, just inches away.
Finally regaining my senses I snorted at his comment and rolled my eyes. "And how many times have you said that today?" I questioned him, quirking one eyebrow. "Does that line actually work?" I smirked at him and nudged him playfully, putting a slightly larger distance between us but I was distinctly aware that he was still holding my hand in his.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise then he chuckled and nodded his head slightly. "You caught me. So, Leah, would you like to go for a walk?" He said, tilting his head to the side, giving me a look which I was unable to resist, not that I could deny him anything. I've said it before and I'll say it again; damn imprinting.
I tapped my finger against my lips, pretending to be thinking it over. Hey, if he was going to try and be all charming to me I could at least try and tease him. "On my own or with you?" I asked, trying to hide my smile but probably failing. It was just impulsive; every time he smiled I would too.
"With me, of course." He was starting to look doubtful. Obviously the girls he had been with went with him, did anything he asked without question. He looked absolutely adorable when he was so unsure, I was determined to make him look like that more often.
"Well, I'd have to think about that." I sighed and dropped my gaze to the ground to hide the smile spread across my face at the fact that he actually believed I didn't want to go on a walk with him. Heck, I'd spend all my time with him if I could but he didn't know that. Yet. I stayed silent for a few seconds before retuning my gaze to him, almost laughing out loud at the stunned look on his face. "I would love to." I assured him and a smile spread across his face, causing my heart to soar with happiness. I rarely reacted this way with anyone. I was so happy and carefree at this moment that, in all honesty, it scared me at the sudden change. How could one person cause me to act so differently?
He released my hand from his and I instantly missed the contact but instead, he linked his arm with mine and began walking down the street. He narrowed his eyes at me and pouted slightly. "You are evil, my dear, messing with my emotions. What did I do to deserve it?" He asked dramatically and I giggled. I, Leah Clearwater, actually giggled. What was the world coming to?
"I know and I'll do that more often if you don't behave." I said playfully and nudged him gently with my elbow. "You kissed me without my permission and that, is a capital offence." I said and glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, resisting the urge to reach up and kiss him myself.
"Oh, really? Who says I'm going to behave?" He smirked at me, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Alright, next time, I'll ask for permission." He shrugged nonchalantly, a smile still prominent on his face.
"Next time? Who says there's going to be a next time?" I mimicked his teasing tone and continued to smile at him. The truth was; I really wouldn't mind if he did kiss me again. Permission or no, I wanted him to kiss me.
He chuckled but didn't answer my question, instead he asked my about myself. I was desperate to know more about him and as we walked we asked each other about ourselves; our families, our interests and continued our playful banter as well. I learned he was 24, an only child, had finished college where he had studied to become a teacher. Who would have thought it? David, the player was a teacher.
"So, Leah, do you live in Port Angeles?" He asked as we continued walking. We must have been talking for a couple of hours because the sun was setting and it was the beginning of twilight.
"No, I was just here because Jake, the guy who was here, insisted that I came here." I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I actually live in La Push. It's a reservation near Forks." I shrugged and looked at him to see a wide smile on his face.
"I just moved there a couple of days ago. Well, I've been moving my stuff in for the past few days but I was going to go stay there tonight." He explained and I felt me heart soar. He was going to be close enough for me to see him everyday if he wanted to instead of the long drive from La Push to Port Angeles.
"That's great!" I blurted out a bit too loudly and excitedly. "I mean…oh, you know what I mean." I sighed, resigned. I just had a way with words when I was around him, didn't I? I didn't see the amusement and smugness I thought I would when I looked at him; his expression seemed to be more a look of happiness. He stopped walking and turned me towards him, looking down at me with a warm smile on his face.
He lifted his free hand to cup the side of my face, his thumb tracing my bottom lip gently. I sighed happily and leaned my face into the palm of his hand, revelling in the feel of his touch. He leaned his face closer to mine until our lips were only inches away. "May I?" He whispered and a small laugh escaped me. I hadn't been serious when I said he needed to ask for permission but he had listened to me.
"Definitely." I said softly and pressed my lips against his, my hands travelling up his muscled chest and into his hair. The thought that I could be being played passed through my mind but I really didn't care. I loved him and there was nothing I could change about that, nothing else mattered except me and him.
I felt his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer to him, and I smiled against his lips. Something had changed within me, something I couldn't control. I felt happier than I had in a long time and knew for certain that no matter what I wouldn't be able to survive without this man in front of me, no matter how hard I tried.
Surprisingly, the kiss was so soft and gentle I melted into his arms. Who would have thought it, my David the player, soft and gentle? I would have laugh out loud if I hadn't been a bit preoccupied.
We pulled back from each other slightly, resting our foreheads together as we looked into each others eyes. I'm sure I was grinning like a fool but I really couldn't care less. I loved him; I loved his dark brown eyes that sparkled with amusement; I loved the way his hair fell into his eyes and how he shook his head to flick it away; I loved how honest he was with me, how he would answer any question I asked him without hesitation, and I loved the feeling that I knew that I had finally someone I belonged with, my imprint.
"Would you like me to give you a ride home?" He asked softly and it was only then that I realised how dark it had gotten.
"As long as you don't try anything." I teased him but the smile on my face betrayed the serious tone of my voice.
"Would I do such a thing?" He asked with mock innocence and I quirked an eyebrow at him, causing him to roll his eyes in reply. "I'll just take that as a yes." He said as he took my hand in his and placed a light kiss on my knuckles before turning to walk in the direction of his car.
I laughed as I walked along beside him, never feeling so free and happy in my life. Honestly, now that Jake had left I had been planning on phasing and running home but I would much prefer letting David to give me a lift home. That way I could spend as much time as possible with him.
As he drove me home he kept my hand firmly in his while we talked continuously. I was actually quite impressed by the car he drove, a silver MG convertible. It wasn't overly expensive like some certain bloodsuckers cars but it was a whole lot better than what most people drove around here. He asked me if he could take me to lunch the next day and, of course, I accepted, not being able to deny him anything. We exchanged phone numbers as well; my reasoning was that if he got in any trouble then I would only be a phone call away.
I told him the directions to my house and he parked on the street in front of it. We sat in silence for a few moments and it seemed to me that he was having some sort of internal argument so I slid myself out of the car and walked around to the driver's side, opening his door and leaning against it. I was concerned as to what was bothering him but decided not to press for information; I would be here for him whatever so it was irrelevant.
"Are you going to walk me to my door or just sit there all night?" His head snapped up to mine and there was a light blush on his cheeks as he smiled sheepishly at me and unbuckled his seat belt, stepping out of the car.
He laced his fingers with mine and walked beside me to the front door of my house. I hoped Seth was back because I had forgotten to pick up my keys on the way out and would really rather not break into my own house. Seth, Jake and I had gone over to the Cullen's to get Nessie so I could 'get to know her better'. Why did I have to be dragged around Port Angeles with that little leach against my will but Seth had the choice not to go? Although, he stayed at the Cullen's house and, frankly, if I had the choice I would much rather go with the first option. Then at least I wouldn't stink for the rest of the day. Seth had better have showered by now or I swear; I'm going to lock him and that stench out of the house.
I'm sure Seth would have heard me coming to the door but I knocked anyway. It would look a bit strange if he just coincidently opened the door at the same time I reached it. A second later the door swung open and there was my little brother, although he was a couple of inches taller than me, standing in the door way and, thankfully, smelling normal with no leech stench what-so-ever.
"Leah, what are you…?" His voice trailed off as he saw David standing beside me with our hands intertwined. A look of utter confusion fell across his face and I bit back a smirk at how amusing he looked.
"Jake and Nessie ditched me and I forgot my key." I stated and turned my back on him so I was face to face with David. "Thanks for the lift home. I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled warmly at him, excitement dancing in my eyes as I pressed my lips against his for a few seconds.
"It was my pleasure. I'll pick you up at noon, alright?"
I nodded my head and smiled at him once more as I watched him walked back to his car. He gave me one of those huge childish waves, laughing as I waved back the same way. I watched as David drove off and turned back to the house. Seth was staring at me dumbfounded as I walked past him into the house. I wasn't actually sure how he hadn't figured it out yet but I wasn't going to spell it out to him.
I walked into the living room and slumped down on the couch, lying across it with my legs dangling off the edge. I could feel my mood dampening quickly; the longer I was away from David. I huffed out a sigh of longing and a frown fell across my face as I glanced at the clock. 8pm. Only sixteen more hours until I see David. Great.
A/N: sorry it took so long to update but I have been really busy. Yesterday I had two evening classes, each three hours long with only an hour in between. I very nearly died of exhaustion at the end of the night.
The picture of the car will be on my profile. I'm not actually sure how good it is but my uncle had one and I thought I looked really cool. Obviously, I don't know that much about cars.
Review, please. I should have the next chapter out in a few days…hopefully.