Chapter 6: Kim Bleeds

After she showered and dressed and settled into bed I had to leave, I couldn't handle hearing her cry anymore. I don't know what I did to make her cry so painfully, but I was the worst excuse for a half-human being on the entire planet.

I was exhausted, I haven't slept normally in over a week, but I was on patrol for the night and I trudged through my duties. Sam tried to keep out of my thoughts but I was having a hard time concealing the sound of her cries. Around 3am I was released and I collapsed in my bed too tired to shower.

"You okay honey?" My mom's voice pulled me out of a deep sleep and I groaned.

"Mmmmhmmfine," I yawned.

"Well, it's 3pm, you must be starving," she said just as my stomach growled. She smiled and stood up from my bed.

"Oh, I went out and got you some new clothes. You're just shooting up aren't you," she said casually as if I wasn't growing at an inhuman speed, and it was just a normal puberty spurt.

"Thanks mom," I called after her.

There were six large bags in the corner of the room, a rainbow of different colors: Hollister, Old Navy, American Eagle, Jack Jones, Express Men and Abercombie. I groaned, my mom never did anything small and in La Push all of these clothes would stand out. I needed two new pairs of shorts at the very most but now I faced a mountain options I would likely destroy. I didn't even want to look inside and see the damage. I grabbed a pair of old sweats on my floor and trudged downstairs.

"I made you an extra-meaty lasagna," she said frowning momentarily at my clothing choice. She went to the oven and pulled it out, not bothering to plate it and setting the entire lasagna in front of me.

"Thnks mom."

"So now that you're up can you explain the boy?" I could tell the curiosity was eating her up.

"He's Kim's brother," I said eyeing her.

"Oh, thank god!" She said breathing a sigh of relief.

"Who did you think it was?" I asked confused.

"Jared, I don't want you to get mad at me, but I went shopping with Mrs. Irons and I told her you had a new little girlfriend named Kim and well she told me that her daughter said that Kim was… you know, that Kim was a little… wild," she finished looking at me apologetically.

"You thought he was her son?" I asked indignantly. "God mom, she's seventeen like me, she can't have a nine year old!"

"Of course, of course. How stupid of me, I just, the things she was saying about her. How well do you know her Jared?"

I got her double meaning. She wanted to know if I was having sex with her. I always thought that when I did start having sex I would tell my mom, because she was generally cool, but we weren't and it didn't look like we ever would.

"Mom! She's amazing, she's smart and funny and caring and loving. And she basically raises that kid, her mom is such an alcoholic and she works so hard and never complains, and-and I love her," I word vomited all over the place. My mother's face turned from concern to shock to joy.

"Oh Jared, baby, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I should have trusted your judgment, you're such a good boy, if you like her—if you love her I'm sure she's a great girl." She shocked the hell out of me. I was expecting a few more questions and some concerns but she seemed happy for me.

I wish I could have said the same. I finished the lasagna with only half-hearted splendor and returned to my room, showering and dressing in some khaki board shorts and a t-shirt from Old Navy, making sure to show them off to my mom before I started working on Kim's bracelet.

I decided to give Kim some time, not bother her today, so I sat down and after about four hours of weaving and tightening I was finished. The tri-color bracelet was small, but I knew it would fit her, I just didn't think it was enough.

I wanted to do something for her, to give her something that would show how sorry I was and that I meant what I said to her. To show her that I loved her, and I could be trusted. There were no Hallmark cards or gift that could say all of that though so I settled on planning her a picnic lunch. I knew from TV and movies that women like men who cook, so I hurried to the kitchen and bothered my mom about it.

"Mom, I want to make a picnic for Kim."

"Oh that would be sweet," she said going back to her sewing.

"I mean now," I prodded.

"Jared it's 8pm, it's a little late for a picnic," she said looking at me as if I were on drugs.

"For tomorrow, I want to make her a picnic so we can go out to lunch together tomorrow."

"Oh sweetie that's a great idea! What do you want me to make? I can bring it to you guys at school, I really wanna meet her," she said practically bouncing.

"I wanna make it. I was thinking maybe cupcakes and some sandwiches or something," I said trying to think of handheld foods.

"Oh, this is a perfect time to pull out the Martha Stewart Summer recipes book," she squealed running out the room.

She returned in full conversation, "There's a whole chapter on picnics and barbecues!"

We spent the rest of the night baking and talking and I felt like I was in middle school again, before I decided that spending time with my mom was gay. I felt ashamed that I ever pushed her away.

I broke down and told her about imprinting, but she confessed she already knew there was something wolfy about the way Sam and I were with Kim and Emily. She asked me about Kim and I found I loved talking about her. I told her everything I knew and guessed about her, glowing the whole time, and I listened hard when she finally gave me advice.

"It sounds like that Matty boy is as good as her own, and if what Mrs. Irons said about her mother is true, they've probably had a fair share of men coming in and out of their life. Her negligent parents have made her fiercely independent and responsible, but also emotionally stunted. She's not going to trust you easily and she won't let you hurt him," she said gravely as she took cupcakes out of the oven.

"Why would she think I wanted to hurt him though," I asked from the counter where I feverishly mixed the homemade frosting.

"Well I know you wouldn't hurt him honey, but she's had a different life than yours. Most of your classmates have had a different life than you; you have lived a very privileged and sheltered life. In many ways you are naive, so it's going to take a lot of patient so deal with her."

"Mom I'm a werewolf who protects the town from blood sucking demons," I countered.

"You are a werewolf in a beautiful home with all the food, love and comforts you could ever ask for. It's nothing to be ashamed of honey, your father worked hard to make sure you never wanted for everything. It does put you at a disadvantage with this girl though. She's miles ahead of you in some ways. She likes you though, or you wouldn't affect her as much as you do."

"You think so?" My ears perked.

"Oh yeah. She's tough, tough girls let things roll off their backs, but you're getting to her. You need to slowly gain her trust though if you want to be there for that boy and that's not going to be easy," she said wisely. I blessed Dr. Phil for all of the knowledge he bestowed on housewives everywhere, kissed my mom on both cheeks and headed to patrol with a new pep in my step.

Patrol was much more eventful then it had been in weeks and Paul and I took out a pair of female bloodsuckers headed towards the Makah reservation.

The chase took the whole night. We bobbed and weaved and ran in circles before cornering them, and I didn't get home till just past four. I was exhausted when morning came but I pulled myself out of bed anyways.

I picked my clothes more carefully than usual, putting on a "vintage" tee and jeans. It was getting colder outside, but I figured I still had a few more weeks before people started to comment on my sandals.

I wanted to pick her up, but I took my mom's advice and gave her space. I arrived at school a little early and talked to Sam's aunt in the cafeteria, giving her my basket to put in the fridge.

I saw her friend Crystal's car approach but I didn't smell Kim. I was worried and I rushed over to her, Crystal eyeing me suspiciously.

"Where's Kim?"

"Why are you asking?" She shot back.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Why do you care?" She asked raising her eyebrow.

"Why don't you?"

"Who says I don't?" her face turned indignant and I changed my strategy.

"Crystal this isn't getting us anywhere. Is Kim sick?" I asked politely.

"Yes, something like that," she said coldly, walking away. I tried to mentally prepare for another day away from Kim, but something about the way Crystal spoke made me uneasy. I turned to rush back to my car, but a large hand interrupted me.

"Jared, can I ask you something," Jacob Black was standing awkwardly in my way.

"Kinda busy Jacob."

"Umm wait, I heard you were there when Bella Swan was found in the forest."

"Yeah, I was, but Jake can I talk to you later? I got something to do right now," I pushed past him. When I cleared and made it to my car, I cursed loudly, finding Paul leaning against the hood.

"Where you headed, pup?" he asked smirking.

"Kim," was all I said making to open my door.

He barked with laughter and I glared at him; this wasn't the time for this.

"Okay man, but I'm warning you—she's a sociopath."

I didn't respond, I hopped in the car and sped to her house. As I walked towards the door I caught the scent blood, and I panicked.

"Kim!" I called outside of her door. I heard shuffling on the other side and felt better, I knew from the weight that they were Kim's steps. I held my breath waiting for her to whip the door open and scream or maybe hit me but when she saw me her eyes softened. And without a word she jumped into my arms.

The relief of seeing her was like stepping under a waterfall and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. She hissed loudly, and flinched.

"Are you okay?" I asked stepping back though it pained me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She asked with only half of her usual fire. Her eyes were red and puffy, but she was still amazingly beautiful.

"You didn't come to school, I was worried about you."

I scanned her body. I could smell the blood more strongly now, but I didn't see any wounds. I did see a bruise though, it was big and yellowing, which clashed nastily with her caramel skin. I grabbing her hand and gingerly inspecting it. She tried to pull it away but winced and let it go.

"What happened to you? Are you okay? You're bleeding," I rambled.

"I'm fine, I fell down the stairs, just be quiet, okay."

She pulled me silently up the stairs and through her bedroom door, closing it behind me. I was surrounded by her smell and it was intoxicating. I went to speak, but she cut me off,

"I'm fine okay.".

"You're not okay, you're bleeding." I cautiously put my hands on her hips and pulled her closer.

"Jared, why are you doing this to me?" She asked, silently streaming tears.

"What am I doing? I don't want to make you cry, I'm not trying to at least," I said pulling her even closer. Every breath I took was filled with her, it was looked in my eyes, tiny teardrops still clinging to her long eyelashes.

She was so breathtaking, her almond shaped hazel eyes glistening. When the vibrating energy between us grew and I inched closer to her lips. She pulled away from me and I finally saw the blood stain on the back of her shirt. I gasped and she swirled back around trying to hide it.

"You should leave now, Jared," she said softly.

She moved to her back to a mirror mounted to the wall and lifted her shirt, removing it lazily as if she were alone. We both cringed. One part of me said it would be the right thing to leave like she requested, but another part of me refused to move. I continued to stare as she inspected the thin half healed cut on her lower back. She caught me staring and snapped.

"God, Jared I'll have sex with you, just not now okay? You're so fucking persistent," she said her eyes filled with a new sadness I couldn't explain.

"I don't want to have sex with you," I said and at that second I wasn't lying. I couldn't think about sex at all when I saw her standing in front of me in her black bra, her ribcage laced with purple bruises.

"I fell down the stairs and it hurt too much to sleep on. I'm tired as hell, just leave me okay," she asked examining the pain on my face.

She watched me for a long time and stepped forward. She pulled up her hair, which fell in a huge curtain down her back, and rolled it up into a sloppy knot on top of her head. The sun from the window illuminated her and I gulped unable to keep myself from gawking at her wonder.

"Look, you wanted to be close to me—this is my life. If your stomach is too weak for it then leave," she said pointing at the door, as her eyes searched mine for a response.

I saw a longing there— behind the angry fire; her voice was hard but she wanted me to stay. She was daring me to love her, but she was also sizing me up. Seeing what I was made of.

I grinned despite myself and her eyebrows knit momentarily. This wasn't just magic wolf shit I was feeling, even if I hadn't imprinted she was my match. How could I not love her? She was broken, in pain and still taking bets.

I took two slow deliberate steps towards her, closing the distance and instead of pushing me away or making a cutting comment she yawned. Her yawn was contagious and I joined her in one loud long yawn. She giggle and covered my mouth shushing me.

"Sorry, I didn't get much sleep either… thinking about you," I said honestly. She cried out in laughter, her hands grabbing onto the front of my shirt for support as she succumbed to waves of laughter.

"Does that work on other girls?" She asked between outburst.

"I never really tried to get a girl before," I said candidly.

She examined me again, not laughing anymore as she searched my face. "Jared… are you a virgin?"

"Yea," I said defensively and she laughed again. She yawned again loudly and looked up at me in embarrassment. I picked her up, careful to avoid her bruises and set her on the bed.

"You should take a nap," I said getting ready to leave.

"Do-don't go," her eyes pleaded.

I was so relieved that I could have sang, and I settled in next to her, cuddling her tiny body and inhaling deeply. I fell to sleep almost instantly, the best sleep I'd had in the week since I met her.