The next day
Embry walked down Mince Avenue, thinking of how to avoid going to the rink. He thought about the time difference in New York, maybe he can call her and say that the rink was closed…no; she'll just will him to try again. He passes a coffee shop and figures he could use a wake up call. He walks in, already feeling peoples' eyes on him. He just ignores them and walks up to the counter. The clerk pales at the sight of him, thinking he's a robber. She's a sweet teenage girl with blonde hair and blue eyes; it's her first time on the job and they forgot to mention how to deal with burglary…
"H-how may I help you?" she stutters.
"Can I have black coffee with extra cream, no sugar please?" she nods and begins constructing his drink. He looks around to admire all the paintings and lights they had.
"This place is nice. It has that homey feeling." he mumbles. The girl nods, slightly confused at how the man seems gentle. She hands him his coffee.
"That'll be 2.49" Embry nods and gets his wallet out of his back pocket. He gets two dollar bills and two quarters and hands them to the girl. She notices something.
"Nice ring." she says. Embry freezes, surprised someone would notice it. It wasn't much it was sterling silver band with a single blue sapphire, his birthstone. This was the only thing his mother had given him. It was more of a farewell gift than anything else.
"Thanks." he mutters and turns around to leave. The way the girl looked at him had made him feel uncomfortable. He sighs and keeps walking while he sips his coffee. He starts feeling an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as he closes in on the ice rink
His body is buzzing when he reaches the entrance. He just takes a couple of deep breaths and walks through the entrance. He strolls through the halls, looking at all the trophies from 1980-present. He stopped in his tracks when he saw a picture from four years ago. It was a picture of his team and him.
He was smiling and was holding the trophy along with Paul as he held Quil on his back. It hurt to see the picture; the way he smiled so big all his teeth were shown, how his eyes were filled with light and happiness, how they're no scars to make him feel like a freak, or that his team actually looked like they cared… he looked at his reflection in the glass and couldn't stop the whimper that left his lips.
His scars are thinner than before, but they are still large and obvious, his mouth seems to be in a permanent straight line, from not smiling or frowning, it was just…straight, as if no emotions at all. His eyes were filled with bitterness and sadness. He gently touched his face, feeling the indents of the scars. I'm never going to be the same… He sighs and keeps walking. He finally reaches the door where the rink is. He pushes it open, but stops in his tracks as he sees someone on the ice.
She was beautiful; she had long chocolate brown hair, she had curves in all the right places, and she was absolutely graceful on the ice. Her legs were slight exposed from the cutoffs she was wearing, protecting her knees but also being comfortable and had a red t-shirt that makes her pale skin stick out in a good way. Embry couldn't help but stare as she did a twirl in the air. Just the way she moved had him captivated. His feet absently took him down the stairs through the bleachers to get closer. He took a seat and watched her with all his concentration.
She turned around to see him in the bleachers. He tenderly waved, obviously embarrassed being caught. She smiled and waved back. He didn't know why, but he found himself drawn to her.
Embry blushed in his hoodie from being caught. He left to go to the bathroom. He splashed his face with cool water, trying to get rid of the dark tint that invaded his cheeks.
He walked out, only to collide with someone.
Bella was disappointed the mysterious man left; she liked his presence. She looked at her watch and saw the time. Her practice was over. She quickly changed in the locker room and left, but she collided with someone. She felt warm hands on her waist, while her hands were on the person's chest. Who ever it is tall…
"Oh my god, I-I'm sorry." The person's voice was like honey; smooth and soft. She looked up to meet the eyes of the stranger. She could tell that one of his eyes were a few shades lighter than the other even though his face was hidden by a hood. Most people would be frightened or disgusted, but she found it almost enchanting in a way… mysterious. "It's fine…um, I-I'm Bella." She held her hand up. Embry took it tenderly and slowly shook.
"Nice to meet you Bella. I'm umm…I just go by Em." She smiled at his shyness.
"Well it's nice to meet you too Em." Embry was memorized by her eyes. They were the exact color of dark chocolate; he never felt like this for anyone. "Soo…why were you at the rink? You didn't seem like you were going to skate." He didn't answer right away, trying to get his mind to click back. His hands were still on her waist, but he snapped back to reality. "Err…a-a friend of mine thought I needed to go. I-I haven't been around ice for a while." She nodded gently.
Bella noticed her hands were still on Em's chest. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks and took a step back out of his embrace. He wanted to pull her right back, hold her and keep looking in those eyes…Jesus! Rein in a little, you just met the girl! He cleared his throat, feeling awkward. Her smile was gentle.
"Uhh…could I- I don't know…err, interest you in some lunch?" he squeaked at the end. Real smooth Em. You just SCREAM virgin…
She giggled at his innocence, though she wasn't very experienced either.
"I'd love to, c'mon, I know this little café where we can get some really good chili." she grabbed his hand and started walking towards the exit. They both felt the cold air hit their faces and started walking in the direction Bella was pointing. They walked in comfortable silence for a while. Embry had never been much of a talker, even when he was two; he had been practically mute from shyness.
"Soo…twenty questions?" he looked at Bella hopefully, truly curious what made her tick.
"Sure." She murmured. Embry felt his lips twitch in attempt of a smile.
"Okay, favorite food?"
"Lasagna, I can't get enough of it." The young man nodded.
"What about you? What's your favorite food?" Bella was very curious about Em. He seemed like he didn't open up often.
"I don't really have a favorite; I just have always had a love of spicy food…and brownies." Bella smiled.
"Favorite movie?" they stopped at a crosswalk.
Umm…I'd have to say zombie land; I love laughing." Embry surprised himself by grinning.
"That's my favorite too." Bella blushed.
"Have any favorite books?" Bella thought for a moment.
"I love Romeo and Juliet and Wuthering heights; there both such interning books. What's yours?"
"Err…" embry blushed. "I…I like-Uhh, comics books." He looked down feeling embarrassed of his a hobby. "I like the stories and designs." He waited for the laughing, but was shocked when he looked up to see a genuine smile. "What are your favorites? I used to read a bunch with my brother Emmett when I was younger; it was kind of our way of bonding." to say embry was shocked would have been an understatement; he had never heard of a girl actually enjoying comic books.
"M-my favorite is super man; I like the plot of how he lives two lives and also tries to love Lois lane. It's kind of the closest us guys get to Romeo and Juliet." She smiled at him.
"I think it's cool; most guys can't even admit they respect the plot."
Em nodded and noticed that they were at a little building called; Ali's place.
"What is this place?" he asks, while looking at Bella. She smiles and takes his hand, making shivers go through him.
"It's my friend Alices' café; she and her brother own it. They have really hardy and warm stuff, perfect for this weather." Bella and embry walk in, the heater relieving their muscles.
A short spiky hair girl skips over to them. "Bella! I haven't seen you in forever!" they give each other a hug.
"Hi Alice; I'm sorry, but you know me, I can't keep my head on straight!" they both laughed; Alice looked at embry with apprehension.
"Who's this?" Embry felt his usual insecurity creeping up. Bella put a hand on his fore arm with a smile.
"This is my new friend Em; I met him at the ice rink after practice and he offered to get some lunch." She smiles up at him, making him smile back. He felt very confused; not even Jake being pantsed made him smile.
Alice smiled. "Alright well c'mon, I'll get you guys a table!" they followed her to a booth and sat down. She handed them some menus.
I'll be back in a bit; Edward will need help in the kitchen."
"She seems nice." Embry took a sip of his drink.
"She is; she's like a sister to me." Embry nodded.
Alice came back to take their orders. After lunch Bella said her goodbyes and took embry's hand again. Every time she grabbed his hand he would shiver, in a good way. He offered to walk her home. She agreed with a bright blush. The walk was quiet and shy. Embry and Bella would steal glances at each other, when one of them wasn't looking. Embry's mind was going a thousand miles an hour. How did this girl make him smile? How did she make him feel light?
"Well this is my place." Bella sighed, secretly wanting to spend more time with her new mysterious friend. Embry smiled shyly.
"Bella I was wondering if I could have you're…err, n-number?" Embry promised himself he would slam his head on the door later. Bella surprised him by giving him a piece of paper instead of laughing at him.
"I would love to do this again; your really nice Em and I would like to hang out with you more often." Embry felt his heart flutter.
"Okay." He whispered. She smiled and walked into the apartment complex.
Embry practically floated home; she wanted to see him again! but the questions was, would she except who he was in the future?