The daylight has almost faded to darkness. The coming rain doesn't help the darkness of the sky. I shiver as I stand by the window. I wonder when I'll see Jasper again. Wait, I shouldn't be interested in seeing him. I met him once and that was extremely embarrassing. I turn away from the window and go into the small kitchen. The doorbell rings.
"Trevor! Get down here, its time to go," I yell up to him.
"Coming!" I hear footsteps racing around the upstairs. I go to the door and open it. Paul is there, leaning lightly against the doorframe.
"Hey," he grins.
"Hi," I reply, keeping my head down. "You can come in, if you want. Trevor is just finishing some work." I glare up at the staircase. "Trevor Semaikov get your butt down here now!" I shout impatiently. Paul raises an eyebrow.
"Semaikov? Russian?"
"Yea. My great-great grandfather immigrated from Russia. His family then intermixed and matched with Americans," I explain with a laugh. Paul nods.
"Sorry, sorry!" Trevor comes bounding down the stairs. He comes to a halt beside us and I go to the door. We exit and we're led to a shiny, green truck. I let Trevor sit up front. He seems to have idolized Paul already, even though Paul can't be that much older than me. There's something about him that makes him seem old, yet young. I can't really figure it out. I sit quietly in the back, catching snippets of their conversation.
We drive for a little while until I see the houses start to change. We pass a dirt road and go further into the community. Eventually, I see the beach. It's hard to see the water in the dark, but I instantly recognize the sand and I pick up on the slightly salty wind. I see a light flickering in the distance. Paul parks the car along the side of the road and gets out. The wind whips at his black t-shirt and he kicks off his shoes. Trevor and I do the same, knowing we won't need them on the sand. We walk a little farther. Finally, we reach the blazing fire. People sit and chat by the fire. They stop when we approach.
"Hey guys, this is Valerie and Trevor Semaikov," Paul introduces us. I smile a small, timid smile and Trevor grins at everyone.
"This is Sam, Emily, Quil, Collin, Seth, Jacob, Leah, Jared, Kim, and Embry," Paul continues, pointing at each person. I murmur a faint hello and Trevor takes a seat by the closest person, the girl named Leah. Everyone looks at me curiously and I unconsciously shrink back toward Paul. He takes my hand and leads me to a spot beside the guy name Jacob. The small chatter starts back up. I glance at Sam. He looks familiar. He turns toward me and I look away. Where have I seen him before?
"So, Jake, Seth, no leec- I mean Cullen duty tonight?" Asks the one named Quil.
"They're having their own problems right now. I'm going to see Reneesme tomorrow," replies Jacob with a sigh. I hesitate, knowing I'll regret asking, but I say, "Cullen? You mean like Jasper Cullen?" Paul stiffens beside me. Everyone looks at me again. I swallow nervously.
"Yea. Those Cullens. Why? Did you meet him?" Sam questions.
"Yes. Jasper. He helped me get home one day this past week," I reply, remembering the strange incident. Paul clenches his fists and I look at him.
"What happened?" His voice is low and he speaks as though he were in pain.
"Nothing, um he just drove me home," I say, starting to fidget with my hair. I look over at Trevor. He's busy chatting it up with the girl, Leah, and she seems to be trying to listen to him and me at the same time.
"I'll kill him," Paul snarls under his breath. But everyone hears him. Sam stands up and yanks me by the arm into Emily. Surprised, she barely has time to catch me, before I land on the ground. I look closer at her face and realize that there are long, pink scars running all down her face. I hold back my gasp of shock and straighten up on the log beside her. I hadn't seen the scars before. I breathe deeply and try to keep calm.
Unfortunately, pulling me away only seemed to have made Paul madder. He starts shaking. He's snarling and growling. An enormous tremor seems to tear through his body. "Paul! Go!" Sam commands in a loud voice. Paul looks at me, and starts racing toward the forest. His figure disappears in the darkness and leaves us all in silence.
"Well, who wants a marshmallow?" Seth holds up a bag and we all laugh awkwardly. I look at Trevor and he shrugs. I settle down next to Emily and Sam and listen to the conversations of the group. We end up talking about old legends. It seems that many people on the La Push reservation are part of the Quileute tribe. I listen intently while Jared launches into heroic tales of shamans and tribes who fought against the evil of the cold-ones, or vampires. Jacob quickly intervenes and they start bickering over which tale is correct. The group laughs at their light joking. I feel happy and warm by the fire, but something is missing. I keep looking back at the woods, wondering when Paul will come back. If Paul comes back. My heart seems to shrink little by little; until I feel like I'm suffocating.
A twig snaps. Everyone looks up, startled. Paul strides over to the fire. He raises an eyebrow at Jared and Jacob, who've dropped the marshmallows that they were about to throw at one another. He looks at Sam. Sam nods and Paul turns to me.
"I need to talk to you." He says abruptly. His face looks bored, but something in his eyes says that he's serious. He turns and walks toward the ocean. I glance around and then get up to follow him. I end up following him so far that I can hardly see the flicker of the bonfire. The night envelops us. Irritation eats at my patience. But we keep walking. My irritation turns to anger. I stop and glare at Paul's back.
"Okay. That's enough," I say loudly. He stops, turns around and looks at me.
"What?" He asks.
"I'm not going any farther until you explain to me what happened back there." I cross my arms across my chest. I see Paul roll his eyes. "There! There it is. That douche-bag part of you that seems to come out randomly! Half the time I think you're the nicest guy on earth and the other half I think of how I'd rather jump off a cliff than talk to you!" I shout, finally giving in to my anger. Why did he bring me here if he was just going to have a temper tantrum? I see his eyes glare at me in the moonlight. Ugh. Why am I drawn to him even when I'm mad?
"Just a little farther," he replies, lazily kicking at a stone in the sand.
"No," I respond, fuming. He rolls his eyes again and starts walking toward me. "No," I say again and plop myself down in the cool sand. Its childish, but I don't care. He pauses and smirks.
"Don't make me do this," he comes closer. I stare him down. "Don't you dare," I growl. He chuckles and stoops down to my level. I glare at him and he just smirks back at me. Suddenly, I find myself weightless. I pound at his hands as he lifts me high off the ground and over his shoulder.
"Paul! Let me down!" I slap at his back, but to no avail. He is strong and full of muscles. I weigh about a hundred and twenty-two pounds and have no muscle what so ever. "I told you not to make me. That's what you get for not listening," He replies with a snort. I growl in annoyance and flail against his hold. He walks on.
"So, they told you about those werewolf stories right?" He glances up at me. I moodily stare behind and say nothing. He's such an arrogant jerk. "The old 'cold-shoulder' tactic huh?" I stay silent. "Two can play at that game," he smirks and then I'm falling. Falling, but still in his arms. I watch as the moon does flips above my head. I end up on the sand, glad for its security. But Paul is now on top of me. He's kneeling and grinning, although there's something sad in his smile. My eyes stop swimming and I glare up at him, about to protest. He puts his finger to my lip, shushing me. Oh no, he did not just tell me to 'shush'. I open my mouth, despite his hand over my lips, ready to rant his head off.
"It's true. All those stories are true. And I'm a werewolf." He whispers quietly and then kisses me.
PaulShe seems so delicate and fragile. I'm afraid that I might break her. I've had so many other girlfriends. But none have ever been like her. Normally, they just go along with whatever I say or do. None have ever refused me. But this is different. Our lips meet and my whole body tingles. I crave her touch. She smells amazing and the only thing I want is her. But, of course, she is different. I feel a slight sting across my cheek. I release her lips from mine and look down at her. I am met with furious eyes.
"What are you doing? I only met you a day ago! You can't do something like this!" She shouts angrily. She tries to wiggle free from my hold, but I pin her down. I almost feel guilty about it.
"I'm kissing you. That's what most people do when they're attracted to each other. Unless you're Aphenphosmphobic that is," I reply with a lopsided smirk. She rolls her eyes. I ignore the fluttery feeling that I get in my chest.
"Who says I'm attracted to you?" She responds. Ouch. Okay, she has a point. I have no idea if she has any interest in me. I hide my uncertainty by responding haughtily. "I know you are." She continues to glare.
"Well sorry to disappoint you, but I'm so not interested, Mr. Wolf," she struggles to get up again. The refusal hurts and I fight to keep my temper in check.
"I already told you, all of that werewolf crap is true. It's just a little embellished in the stories," I remind her with a scoff of annoyance.
"And what if I were to tell you that I don't believe you?" She challenges.
"Then I would have to say that I know that you know that it's true," I retort, doing my best to sound bored. "I know you remember, that night by the woods." I whisper in her ear. Her dark hair tickles my face and I breathe in her wonderful scent. I feel my body lean closer to her. I can't help it. I sit up slightly and see that her face has blanched. Still, she manages to fix me with a serious look.
"That was… you? The silver wolf?" Her eyes are wide in curiosity. I nod. "It is true," she breathes out noisily. She looks at me sharply; I can see doubt clouding her eyes. "How? That shouldn't be possible. Does that mean that every fairytale is true?" Her questions come rapidly. I roll my eyes and sigh, hating myself for doing this. I lean in and cup her face with my hand. I feel her try to pull away. I'm sorry Valerie. I can't help it. I bring her face up and I graze her lips with mine.
This time she tenses up, but she doesn't resist as much. Her lips are soft. I grumble internally that her mouth is closed in a tight line. I feel another tiny slap that she throws at my chest. I break away and hold her hand down.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself. Its all part of 'Douche-bag 101'," I grin. She rolls her eyes but says, "Fine. Maybe you're right. All of this could be true." I nod; relieved that she admits it's the truth. "But, no more kissing. You've got some explaining to do Paul!" She crosses her arms and dares me to refuse. "Okay, I'm game," I smirk in response. I get off of her, wistfully missing her touch, and pull her up beside me. And thus the interrogation begins.
ValeriePaul and I had spent the rest of the night talking. When we got back to the bonfire we found it deserted except for Leah and Trevor. Paul drove us home, ignoring the questioning looks from Trevor. I was relieved when I finally got into bed. Sadly, my head never stopped swimming with the information that Paul had told me. I shouldn't believe him. I ended up pacing my room, thinking about the stories. Vampires. Cold, bloodsucking vampires are real. How could they exist? And… wolves? Werewolves? Well, Paul had said that they were actually shape shifters. That's still not possible. How do humans not know about this stuff? Am I dreaming?
The early Saturday morning is filled with light snores coming from upstairs. I smile fondly as I walk by Trevor's room and find him mumbling in his sleep. I eat some toast and clean up the first floor. Trevor comes down in his pajama bottoms and t-shirt.
"Morning," I finish wiping down the kitchen counter.
"Morning," he mumbles tiredly. He pulls out a bowl and starts pouring in Lucky Charms. I pour some milk into his bowl and he sits down at the small table in the kitchen.
"So," he munches loudly on his cereal. "If you and Paul hook up, its cool." I look at him incredulously. "What?" He laughs, "I think he's alright. I was talking to Leah about him and she said that he's okay. So, Val, you have my permission to date him." I roll my eyes. "Thanks, mom. But I doubt that we're going to get together. He's kind of a jerk." I lean against the counter.
"Yea, Leah mentioned that. But she also said that he'd never hurt you, so in my book, he's cool," he responds, finishing his cereal. I nod. "So, Mr. Cassanova, I saw you and Leah. It seems like you guys really connected," I nudge him on the shoulder. He blushes and looks down. "She's okay. I dunno, we did talk a lot," he looks at me sheepishly. I giggle at his embarrassed expression. "Oh Trev, that's good. Even if she is a little old for you," I ruffle his hair, the same dark brown as mine, and tell him that I'm going to go explore the town a little more.
I decide to leave Trevor the car. I walk along the road, in between the houses and the forest. I walk for twenty minutes. All of a sudden, I see a dirt road. Weeds weave through the pebbles. Curious, I glance down the road. Hm. I wonder what's down there. I step off the road and begin walking along the shaded path. I walk for a while. Then, I feel a drop of water on my face. I glance up, and it starts to pour. Heavy drops of water fall through the trees and soak me to the bone. Déjà vu. I think crossly. I think about running back to the road, but it'd still be a thirty-minute walk back home. I blink through the rain. A dim light flickers through the dense forest. Out of options, I run toward the light.
The wet dirt and gravel squish beneath my soggy flats. Stupidly I'd decided to wear skinny jeans with flats and a simple, white t-shirt. I now regret wearing the black and white polka dotted bra. I get closer to the light. I chuckle bleakly to myself. My breath comes in little puffs. It's colder than before. I slow down when I reach the house. It's white and has an almost modern-cabin feel. I hesitate slightly before going up to the door and knocking.
A tall, fair-haired man opens the door. He looks unsurprised to see me. His eyes take in my sopping situation and his mouth turns up in a small smile.
"Hello, why are you out here in this weather?"
"I took a wrong turn and got caught in the rain," I gasp as the drops become colder.
"Well, come in, please… I'll see if we can help you," he opens the door wider and gestures for me to enter.
EdwardThe meeting with the wolves hadn't gone well. Paul and Jasper had almost ripped each other in half. I glance over at Jasper, worried about him. He's really not himself ever since he fell for that new girl. We run, Emmett, Jasper, and I, back to the house. A smell reaches me. I slow down just as I see Jasper streak away. I listen in on Jasper's thoughts. Blood. Thirst. Oh no. Emmett snarls in annoyance. We both race after him. We get to the house and rush through the door. We skid to a halt and watch in horror as Jasper hurdles in a frenzy toward the slender figure standing beside Carlisle.
ValerieSeeing Jasper race at me, looking like he wants to kill me, set my heart pounding. I know I should run away, but I'm frozen. I can't move. Something draws me to him, yet my brain is screeching at me to run.
"Jasper! No!" A chiming voice screams. My eyes watch as a fast streak of color barrels into Jasper. And he's gone. My breath comes in short gasps. Two guys, the first one was the one I had seen in chemistry, had suddenly appeared in the room. Rain spills in through the open door. Everyone in the room is silent.
I take in the other people. The first man, who had opened the door, is looking at a petite woman beside him. The brunette from school, and a beautiful blonde girl stand side-by-side. The brunette is holding a child. Practically everyone looks shocked. Yet, all of these people are absolutely beautiful. Stunning. How is that possible? The first man takes quick steps and closes the door.
"Um, I'm guessing she's the one huh?" Asks the big, darker-haired guy. Damn. Even the guys are beautiful. I think, in a surprisingly calm voice. Of course, that voice is in my head. I don't even want to think about how I'll react when I actually speak to these people.
"Are-Are you Valerie?" The petite woman comes closer, taking my hand. Cold. She feels so cold. I manage a timid nod. She breaks into a smile. She is breathtaking. I feel so ugly compared to these people.
"Please, you must be freezing. I'll get you some clothes, and well, we'll explain everything to you," she guides me to a staircase.
The woman pulls me to a room. It's neat and the bed looks like its never been slept in. She rummages through a drawer and hands me a red t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She leads me to a bathroom and I change. The jeans are a little loose and I trip as I walk out. She kindly catches me, and gathers my wet clothes. She's surprisingly strong. I ignore the coldness of her touch.
Once downstairs, the brunette brings me a steaming mug of tea. I try to smile but it comes out as more of a grimace. She looks at me with suspicious amber-brown eyes.
"So, I know that was pretty startling. We're very sorry for that to have happened," the first man comes and stands beside me. "My name is Carlisle Cullen, and this is my family," he extends his hand to me. I shake it and resume blowing on the hot tea. "Cullen? I've heard of you," my voice is barely a whisper. Carlisle nods thoughtfully.
"Now, I hate to say this so abruptly, but I'm sure you'd like to know what we are." Carlisle adds. Something clicks in my brain. I nearly drop the mug.
"Vampires," I breathe, startled by my own answer.
"You know?" The smaller of the two guys speaks up. He pauses, and then frowns.
"Edward, what?" The brunette, having taken her child to bed, comes up to stand beside the guy called Edward.
"It's strange. Why can't I read her mind?" His brow puckers and he looks at me intently. What is he talking about? I thought they were vampires?
"Oh, don't tell me, you have magic powers? What, you can somehow, fly or whatever?" I set the tea down and cross my arms over my chest. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Edward opens his mouth, surprised by the acid in my voice.
"First I get knocked down by a mutant wolf. Then I find out that it's actually a human. Then I'm told that all those stupid myths about vampires and werewolves are true. Then some guy I've barely met tries to kill me.Finally, you're here to tell me that you're not just normal, bloodsucking vampires. Oh no, of course not. You're vampires with freaky magical powers!" I finish with a shout. Everyone is taken aback. The small woman takes a step toward me. I back away.
"No. I can't take this. I-" I can't finish the sentence. I turn and run to the door. I feel a swoosh of wind and crash into the rock-hard body of the larger guy. I fall unceremoniously on the floor. I seem to be doing a lot of that too. "Emmett!" Whines the blonde girl. "Rosalie, I can't just let her leave. Right Carlisle?" The big guy responds. Carlisle looks hesitantly at me. "Please, just hear us out." He begs me. I don't want to be around these people. But, do I have a choice? If they are vampires, and I'm sorry to say that I think they are, then Paul said that they're incredibly fast. With a sigh I nod and follow the big guy named Emmett to the white sofa.
JasperI feel awful. My thirst just took control and I couldn't help myself. She, as Edward puts it, is like heroine to an addict. Her scent is intoxicating, but that's no excuse for trying to kill her. Normally, I would've been able to control myself, but I haven't gone hunting in two days. Just seeing her there surprised me and I lost all of my self-control. I'm despicable. She must hate me. I know I would if I were her.
"It's okay Jazz," Alice puts her hand on my shoulder. I bury my head in my hands. "No. It's not Alice. If you hadn't pushed me away I would have killed her. I would have hurt her, even when I've already hurt you. I don't deserve to live," I mutter bitterly. Alice gazes at me. "Don't think like that Jasper Hale. Being self-destructive won't help you or her. And, I told you, its okay. I loved and still love you, but no one can get in the way of a soul mate." Alice says softly. Too kind. She's being too kind. She should be yelling at me. How can I call myself a gentleman when I hurt everyone around me?
Alice takes my hand and we race off into the woods, searching for prey. She knows me well. Once I feed, maybe, just maybe I can go back and apologize to Valerie. If she's still there. Morose thoughts cloud my mind. Alice senses my feelings. I'm probably unconsciously sending her my negative emotions. Why do I keep hurting her?