As the plane landed at Port Angeles Airport, the adrenaline kicked in. I was actually going to live in America, speak the language, and know the people. Then a thought came to my head:
Can I handle being alone in a country I don't know? I'm only 14. I've never NOT lived with my dad and Julia. How will I handle this?
But I ignored that thought for the moment, as I saw who I'd be living with until…well, until I was legal.
Blonde, short, plump, and very pretty. She had a huge, jubilant smile on her face as she saw me approach.
"Miss Lucette Cerise?" She called out to me.
"Oui. Melinda, I presume?"
"Yes. Come over here, I don't do handshakes." She pulled me into a hug, squeezing me so hard I could barely breathe. I liked her already.
We talked nonstop in the car on the way to La Push. I don't think I've ever voluntarily talked that much before. Melinda was 29, recently divorced, and was a child advocate. She wouldn't be home that often, which was more than I was used to. I could tell this was going to work out well.
When we pulled up to the little house, I couldn't help but think of it as home. I always loved coming here when I was younger, but I hated the fact that it kept me away from my France. Actually, about the time I stopped coming here was when the depression started…
I booked it out of the little old yellow Bug and spun around in the rain, laughing like a maniac. I was truly home.
Collin POV
I had just gotten home from patrolling all night when I heard a car pull up to the French family's little cottage next door. What the…? They hadn't come here in years! Maybe they sold it or something. Then again, it never had a For Sale sign up. So…they must be back. But why?
I peeked out the window to see a beautiful girl dancing around in the rain. That hair…Lucette. She was the only person I ever knew with hair quite that color. I gaped when she turned toward me. She had changed a lot in three years. Then again…so had I.
Instinct took over, and I bounded outside and through the yard.
"Lucette? Is that really you?" I called out. She spun around, a smile still on her face.
"Oh my God. Collin?" she ran toward me, tackling me into a hug. I caught her weight easily, looking down into her violet eyes.
Nothing.
No imprint.
Well, I guess I am glad I didn't. I have too much of a history with her.
"Hey! Where have you been for the last three years?"
"Oh, yanno. France as usual. Perfecting my shitty English." She smiled oh-too-innocently.
"Great. You even learned swears. I liked the profanity-free you better." She stuck her tongue out at me when I said this, scrunching up her face attractively *sarcasm*.
"I missed you." I said laughing, pulling her in for another hug.
She invited me into her house, and we got talking, catching up on everything that had happened while she was gone. The hours ticked away, until I realized I was supposed to go on patrol 20 minutes ago.
"Shit." I muttered, standing up abruptly. "I, uh…"
Just then, I heard Paul of all people calling for me. I looked out the window, right as he caught my sight. He came storming over to the cottage, and I pulled outside and stopped him before he ripped the door down.
"What the hell, kid? You're 20 fucking minutes late. I want to fucking sleep but I can't because you never fucking showed up. You're so fucking dead, little boy…" Paul said menacingly, his voice starting low but got up to shouting.
Someone cleared their throat inside the house.
"I don't care for people who come into my house uninvited and threaten my friends. So apologize and get your dumb ass out of here. Now." Lucette spoke low and threateningly, and stayed controlled as she stared Paul down. I saw her eyes waver for a moment. Was that…love I saw?
I whipped around to face Paul, but his eyes were locked into someone else's.
Fuck no. He imprinted.