Second Chances
Disclaimer: I don't own nada.
AN: Here is the next chappie to the story. I have writer's block, so I decided to add this chapter on Rachel Black's point of view. It's different and sort of more upbeat. Enjoy.
Paul, did what…?
Rachel's POV
I drove the large U-haul truck down the dirt road, hoping that I was making the right decision. I'd been in La Push, teaching at the high school for two weeks now. I'd been staying at the local motel in Forks, but I was short of money, hope and luck. I didn't have any place to go. I could only come back here; to this place that held so many memories.
I didn't want to live in the same run down house that I lived for eighteen years of my life. I couldn't! It was something that I couldn't deal with, but I had maxed out my credit cards and I needed a place to live ASAP.
I didn't tell my father the reasons why I was coming home. He didn't need to know. All he needed to know was that I was coming home; his baby girl was coming back! I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my chest, when I saw the many motorcycles and dirt bikes, parked in the front yard of my father's maroon home.
I could see old friends and new friends gathered around the porch as they talked to my father. My dear, old father, he still had that smile on his lips. Even after all the misery and melancholy that lurked on the surface of his dark, brown eyes; he still smiled.
I inhaled deeply, wishing that I could have managed my money, my relationship and my life better. I didn't want to come back to the place that I swore I would never come back. I broke the promise that I made with Rebecca. She was married and living in Hawaii; she was far away from La Push. While I was back… in La Push, ready to re-live the same memories, I'd hoped that I had forgetten.
I opened the driver's side door and drew in a deep breath, before I got out of the truck. The smell of grilled meat invading my nostrils as I made my way to the shack, my father called home. I was hungry, tired and I really didn't want to speak to anyone.
I loathed the fact that my father had gathered his friends and made my return a freaking get-together. He laughed on the phone and said that Jake's friends could easily help me carry my furniture in to the house. I didn't feel like dishing out $300 dollars for some idiot to unload my belongings, so I readily agreed.
I waved at my father and I felt love for him. My daddy looked so old and frail.
"Rache!" was the first thing I heard as I walked towards the porch.
I narrowed my eyes and turned around to see Kimberly Santos coming towards me. I really didn't like her. She'd been a good friend of Rebecca, but I didn't like the fact that she lusted after, my then best friend, Jared. I still don't know what she saw in skinny Jared.
"Kim!" I said, feigning surprise. "How are you? So good to see you." I lied, biting the inside of my cheeks trying hard to not scream with annoyance. Get out of my way! I need food! Crabby bitch, right here!
She smiled and hugged me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so glad that you're back. I heard that you were teaching at the high school. I thought that you said after graduation that you were never coming back to La Push." Kim said spitefully, giving me one of her fake smiles.
I hate her! I would mop the floor with her hair, if I wasn't so tired and exhausted. I'm usually a kind person. I love to smile and enjoy everyone around me. But seeing that I am so fucking hungry, broke, disenchanted and just plain bitter, by the outcome of my life; I hate everyone.
"Well, I am!" I said, trying to sound excited. "I am back in La Push." I said, clapping my hands. "Getting paid!"
"You seem excited!" she said, flashing a cheesy smile.
"I am Kim. I graduated college and I am getting paid for what I do! That makes me excited!" I said mockingly.
We stared at each other for a minute, and then I turned to greet my family. On the doorway was my brother. He'd grown so tall since the last time I saw him. He had to duck, just to exit through the front door of our house. I smiled at him as he came towards me with his arms opened. My baby brother looked handsome.
"Jakie!" I said, running towards him, ignoring Kim's banter and annoying voice. "Look at you! I can't believe that I am my baby brother's teacher. Every time I see you, I am amazed!" I said, letting his arms wrap around me.
He was a little warm, but it was so good to hold on to my brother. I was glad that at least, my father had Jacob to keep him company. Rebecca and I, had scurried like roaches when they see the bright lights.
"Yep!" he said, kissing my cheek lovingly. "Welcome home, sis." he said happily, flashing his toothy smile.
He removed his arms from around me and took my hand in his. "Come, Rache, I want to show you my friends." he said happily, dragging me behind him.
"Jake," I muttered, trying to pull him back. "I didn't say hi to daddy." I told him, but he didn't listened. He continued to trudge passed the wall of people that had congregated at the porch.
"Rache, you remember Emily." he said, introducing me to a beautiful shy girl, with three deep scars that ran all the way down her once glorious face. I nodded and extended my hand to greet her.
"Hello, Rachel. It's so nice to meet you again." she said shyly, shaking my hand.
"The same here, Emily." I said politely, smiling down at her.
Jacob dragged me from people to people, until I had met all of them. I was so tired and hungry. The smell of meat was scattering along the entire house. I could almost taste it. I needed to eat. I could care less about the people that I was meeting. I needed to tend my hungry stomach.
"Jake," I said, pulling my brother against a corner of the table. "I am hungry!" I said in irritation.
"And?" he said nonchalantly, smiling down at me. "You just got here. Enjoy the company, sis." he said, chuckling.
I rolled my eyes at him and snatched my hand away from his. "I'm hungry, Jacob Joseph William Black!" I muttered angrily, turning around towards the fridge.
"Did you just say my full name?" he asked incredulously, placing his enormous hands on my shoulders. "You know how much I hate my name, Rache! You don't want them to know that your name is Rachel Henrietta Jacobina Black!" he said menacingly.
I gasped and looked around us, to make sure that there wasn't anyone hearing our conversation. That name should never be mentioned!
"You wouldn't!" I said aghast. I placed my hands on his forearms and pushed them off my shoulders.
"Jacob, if anyone knows my name… I will flunk you. Remember that I am your teacher! I swear by Rebecca Sarah Madgeline Black, my twin sister and best friend, that I will kill you and burry you under the house!"
"Then don't ever repeat my name again!" he said, leaning his head down at me. "I will not allow my friends to make fun of me again, thanks to my name. You remember elementary!" he said, slapping my head softly and disappearing out the backdoor.
I crossed my arms over my chest and stared as he trudged towards the grill. Damn, I was hungry and furious!
"Idiot!" I muttered, turning around towards the fridge. I was too hungry and I couldn't wait for the food to be done. I needed food, NOW! QUICKLY!
"Yes," I said, feeling lucky, when I saw a plastic container with some left over spaghettis. "Jackpot!" I murmured, as I mosey over to the microwave.
"Oh, you're here!" Kim said, from behind me. I hate her!
I rolled my eyes and forced a damn smile as I turned to face her. She was annoying. So fucking annoying, but I shouldn't be so mean and disrespectful. I was the bigger and better person. I should act professional and mature.
"Kimberly!" I said, closing the microwave door. "What can I help you with?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just walking in to the kitchen to check on Jared." she said, smiling at me and leaning against the wall.
Leave, evil witch! Let me eat in peace!
"Jared?" I asked, glancing around us to see if I could get a pick of Jared. "He's here?" I asked surprised, whipping around to turn the microwave "on" to heat my food.
"Yes!" Kim said, giggling as she raised her hand to show me an engagement ring.
"Oh, congratulation!" I said, leaning against the counter, waiting for my food to heat up. At least, I have a job! A dildo and a pile of bills to pay!
"We're engaged!" she said contently, staring at me with the most annoying expression on her face. So, I get to sleep with as many, hot single guys that I want!
Kim! I get it! You got what you wanted, in spite of me telling you that Jared would never noticed you!
"Great!" I said casually, crossing my legs and smiling at her.
"Well, remember when you used to tell me to give up on my dream of chasing after him. I knew that I need to be persistent and determined." she said excitedly. I hate you!
"Whatever, Kim! That was like seven years ago. I was a senior in high school and you were a sophomore. I didn't know anything about life!" I said boringly.
The microwave beeped and I smiled as I turned to get my hot, delicious food out. Food, delicious, food!
"Oh, come to mama!" I mumbled, whiffing my spaghettis, as I opened the drawer to retrieve a fork.
"She still says that!" a deep masculine voice said.
"Yes, I do!" I whispered, digging my fork in to my delectable spaghettis. I turned around and found a handsome man standing beside Kim.
Holy Fuck-a-doodles! Jared! Handsome and attractive Jared, was now, fucking hot! He was like Mr. Hotness and beyond. Damn, I hate Kim! I wanted a piece of ass, like him!
"Jared Morris!" I said, trying to hide my jealousy. Damn, I was very jealous! I was cuter than her and so much better than her!
"Rachel Black," he said, walking towards me and wrapping his arms around me. "It's so great to have you back." he said, kissing my cheek with his warm lips.
"Thanks, Jar." I muttered, feeling cold as his arms left me.
I walked to the table that once held so many memories. I could see my mother sitting at the foot of the table, telling Jacob not to throw his broccolis at Rebecca and me. I laughed and felt my eyes well with tears.
I didn't want this! I didn't want the ghost of my mother to haunt me. It wasn't fair. I have been fine, but standing in the middle of this kitchen, opened the gates of memories.
"Rache, are you alright?" Kim asked worriedly, taking my arm and guided me to the table. I sat in my usual chair and felt numb. Don't touch me! I hate you!
I wasn't hungry anymore. I was sad and just being in this place, the memories that I thought were forgotten flooded my heart.
"Rachel," Kim began, but my attention was somewhere else.
"Ms. Black?" a sweet melodious voice called. I stared up and saw one of my students. She looked like her usual self, sad and quiet.
"Madison, right?" I asked, making sure that it was her name. But I had to stop. She was standing next to someone that literally stole my heart away.
Who was he? How come she was with him? I've never seen him before. He stole my heart the moment that I laid my eyes on him.
"Is he your boyfriend?" I asked. Please, don't be her boyfriend! Please, don't!
I was hoping with all my heart that he wasn't. I stared from Madison to the handsome man that was beside her.
Well, aren't you going to answer! Please, say no! NO! Please, say NO!
"Him? Boyfriend?" she laughed, shaking her head. "No, no… he is a friend of mine."
BINGO! He's not her boyfriend! But then, why are they holding hands? Are they involved? Are they having sex? Shit, why am I so jealous? I'm gonna flunk her if she's with him!
I placed my hand on my chest and sighed. Thank you god! "Oh, I thought he was your boyfriend." I said relieved. I could've hid it, but I just couldn't control my feelings.
"Oh, no! He's not my type!" Madison said quickly, shaking her head vigorously. Yep, they aren't dating.
"Hey, Paul!" my brother said as he passed by the kitchen. Paul? He's name was Paul? I loved it! I love his name is unique and strange and so…
Wait! I'm Rachel, my sister's Rebecca and my brother's name is Jacob… what was my father thinking when he named us? Don't you get it?! Rachel, from the Bible, was married to Jacob and Rebecca was Jacob's mother… so, CREEPY! Paul was one of the disciples… let's not go down that road.
"Oh, OK!" I said softly, liking Madison once again. I stared at Paul and noticed those biceps and arms. He was ripped. He probably lifted weights. Handsome! "Is something wrong with Paul?" I asked worriedly, he was staring at me as if I had something on my face.
I discreetly brought my hand to my face and patted it, making sure that I didn't have anything on my skin. I touched my hair, but there was nothing out of place. I looked disheveled!
I couldn't help staring back at him. Did he like me, too? Nah! It would be too good to be true. Too much of a coincidence. I never got the best end of the deal. I always attracted the douche bags and assholes. I looked down at my food, when Madison waved her hand in front of Paul's face. It was funny! He was enthralled by me.
"Jacob?" Madison called, when my brother walked by the kitchen. "Can you come here, please?"
Jakie poked his head and gasped when he saw Paul. What the hell just happened?
"What the fuck? Oh, hell no! Fuck-a-no! Paul! Rachel!" he shouted angrily, marching towards Paul.
Confused! What is wrong with Jacob? He's acting like an idiot. Why did he say my name? I didn't do anything wrong.
"Hell, fucking NO!" he grunted, grabbing Paul by the shirt and shoving him out the backdoor. "Come with me fuck face!"
Fuck face? Shit! Gorgeous face is more accurate. Paul was a sex god. I would love to get my hands dirty on those muscles and …
"Rachel." Kim said, bringing me back to reality.
I stared at her, then at Madison and followed them outside. Paul was still gazing at me. His smile was so sexy. He was so sexy! Madison raised her eyebrow quizzically at me. I was on the same boat as her; I didn't know what the hell was going on! We were both curious at what the hell was going on. Kim stood behind us and laughed heartedly.
What was so funny that the bitch had to laugh? I hate her! Damn it, I am hungry!
"Rachel, you're the next one!" she giggled, tapping my shoulder.
Next one? What in the fucking world was she talking about? I hate her!
Madison and I both turned to face Kim and gave her inquisitive looks. "You'll know what I'm talking about soon!" she said cheerfully. Idiot!
We turned our attention to Paul and Jacob. Emily was near the grill, shaking her head and laughing. I really wondered what the fuck was so mother fucking funny! Why wasn't I invited to the damn joke? I wanted to laugh too!
"You didn't fucking imprint on my sister?" Jacob asked angrily at Paul. "I won't allow it!" he growled, pushing Paul.
My sex-god just stood there, staring at me and smiling. He didn't even cared that Jakie was madly pacing around him, ready to pick a fight.
"I can't help it. It just happened!" Paul muttered, staring at me, with those chocolate brown eyes.
I looked at Madison confused. She was as lost as I was. I hated Kim, because all she did was laugh.
"What the fuck are they talking about? Imprint? Is he a fucking... Ugh! I don't get them!" Madison asked confused.
My student had a very naughty vocabulary. But who the fuck could blame her. I was as lost as she was. I couldn't even make it back with a damn map drawn with crayons. I was oblivious to what they were talking about.
"Ask Embry!" Jared said from behind us. We all turned to face him. Damn, Jared. He looked good, but not like Paul.
"He's in the front porch." he said, winking at Madison.
Embry? Wow, I barely thought of him. For the longest time, I thought that he could be my half-brother. When he was little, he looked so much like Jakie and us. We never talked about it. It was forbidden. I didn't have the mind to think about such things at the moment, my eyes drifted back to Paul.
"I said that I can't take it back! It just fucking happened!" Paul complained. What just fucking happened?
Kim and Jared walked passed us and went to where Jake and Paul were. I hate her. She gets to know things that I don't.
"No, Jared, you mind your fucking business." Jake said angrily.
"Calm down!" Jared ordered, placing himself in between Paul and Jakie. "We have visitors!"
Damn, those kids were tall. When did skinny Jared get so buffed? What was in the water?
"Jake, Paul can't control what happened." Jared said passively. He was always the mediator.
Jacob shrugged Jared's hands off him and began to pace around Paul, raking his fingers through his hands, as he usually did when he was mad.
"This is fucking unbelievable!" he muttered angrily. "Paul imprinted on my sister."
"Jake, calm down." Jared said again, placing his hand on Jacob's shoulder. "Sam!" Jared and Paul called Sam in unison.
These guys were tall and did I say tall already? They were at least topping seven feet. They moved in fluid movements that seemed almost graceful. They didn't trip over their long, muscular legs. Oh, boy, Paul had the most amazing legs!
"Fuck it!" Jacob said, removing Jared's hand from his shoulder and running towards Paul. He slammed his closed fist against Paul's face, breaking my Paul's nose.
"Fuck you, Paul! I'm gonna break every bone in your damn face."
"Jake, don't! Sam!" Madison shouted, running to Paul. She stopped running, when a tall very handsome man pulled her to him.
No, way! That was Embry Call! He looked so much like Jacob. He towered over us. He looked sad and tired, as he held on to Madison. She struggled in his arms, but he just held his arms firmly around her waist.
"Let go, Em." she said angrily, kicking at him and struggling to get out of his hold. I was looking at Paul, darting my eyes between Jared, Kim, Jacob, Madison and Embry.
"Damn, Jake." Paul shouted, putting his hands on his mouth. He was bleeding profusely and looked like a hurt teddy bear.
"You idiot! My sister is off limits! I can't believe you imprinted on her, Paul!" Jake barked.
Paul, did what…? Imprinted? Did I hear clearly? Like imprinting, you know, like those stories… the old legends of our tribe. The wolf men and how they found their… soul mates?
"You imprinted on me. Like those legends?" I asked, comprehending what has been going on around me all this time. "Daddy!" I shouted, frozen to the spot where I stood.
"Let me go, Em," Madison shouted angrily. "I gotta see how Paul's doing."
No, you don't! Paul is my soul mate... if I heard right.
"Let them solve their own problems." Embry whispered. Wise man, Embry! You're a wise man!
Madison stared at me and I stared back. "Come, we have to talk." he said softly, he took a step back and still had her in his arms. She looked like a little girl that was being grounded for being naughty. I remember my younger years.
Paul, yes… back to him! He just sat on the dirty ground, covering his mouth and gazing at me. He looked smitten and in love.
"Please… princess, don't fight me!" Embry pleaded and Madison stopped struggling.
"Bye, Ms. Black!" she said, waving at me. I gestured back and ran towards my brother.
"Jacob, stop it! You can hurt my soul mate! Daddy, help!" I yelled, running towards them.
I reached for Paul and examined his face. "Are you alright?" I asked, taking the hem of his shirt and pulling it off him. "Here, this should stop the bleeding." I said, staring at those dark eyes.
"Thank you," he muttered, smiling with his beautiful bruised lips.
"Don't touch him, Rache!" Jacob ordered.
I looked at him and narrowed my eyes. "Who the hell do you think you are, Jakie? I am fucking older than you, so respect me." I said angrily, pulling Paul up to his feet.
What a fail attempt. He was too heavy to help up. He clumsily got to his feet and stood beside me. So he was my soul mate? I hit the jackpot!