Chapter Four

A day Full Of Surprises

"Rachel, do you mind dropping by the grocery store today?" dad asked me in the morning.

For most people this is an easy task. What's the big deal? It's just a grocery store, right?

Wrong. This was more than just a store. This was the store where me Becca and Jacob spent our summers when dad still worked at the fish bait store. This was were mom worked.

"Um yeah s-sure dad, no problem." I said shakily.

Of course dad noticed, and I knew he was about to tell me that I didn't need to, he could get someone else.

"No. Its fine dad. I can do this." I told him determined, but definitely not confidant.

He gave me a list of what to buy and I was on my way. At least I was physically. My mind was already there, sneaking into the back of the store with Becca, and hiding out eating all the chocolate bars. Mom had been mad, but later laughed at how rebellious we were.

I shuddered with silent tears and swerved slightly off the road.

Focus Rachel. You can do this. Your not even there yet.

But when I puled into the parking lot I completely lost it. I broke down crying. It had finally, truly hit me. I was home. And she wasn't. I thought it was bad the first day I got here, but I guess it all just accumulated again. Every time I thought I was done crying, that my slate was clean, it started all over again, like an avalanche of tears.

When I was completely out of tears I looked like a puffy pink fish. I dried my face of with some tissues, and headed into the store. Everything was exactly the same. Being La Push we didn't have much money for renovation.

I sniffled and grabbed a beat up cart. I looked at the list, and quickly grabbed everything on it. I was just about done I just needed to get some apples.

"Rachel?"

I turned quickly, immediately recognizing the voice. Leah. She looked so different. Her once long beautiful black hair had been cut short. She had gotten taller too. She also looked incredibly tired.

"Leah!" I suddenly abandoned my cart, and ran to her giving her a hug.

"How've you been, Ladybug?" she asked, smiling. Or at least slightly smiling.

"Good I guess." I laughed because I knew it was obvious that I had been crying. Thank god she didn't ask.

"How bout you cricket?" I asked laughing.

I was ladybug because I was always the cute innocent one that no one suspected, even though it was usually my fault. Leah was cricket because she always had something to say, even when everything was completely silent. Becca had been the bumblebee because she was always buzzing in other peoples business. Mom made them, since we wanted them so bad cause only true best friends have nicknames.

"I've been better." She shrugged.

You have no idea how much I wanted to storm over to Sam's house and beat the crap out of him. Leah had given him her heart, devoted herself to loving him and what had he done? He crushed it, chewed it up and spit it out.

"What are you doing tomorrow night?" I asked her, trying to change the subject.

"Umm I have to work tonight so I'm pretty sure I'm off tomorrow. Why?"

"I was thinking we could hang out? Watch some movies, eat some popcorn." I grinned remembering how Leah once vowed never to eat popcorn again because a boy at our school that she like (before Sam even entered the picture) had pointed out that she had popcorn in her teeth. That was the end of that relationship.

"As long as you promise to watch 'The Notebook' with me?" she asked with pleading eyes.

Ugh… I swear if I were to count the times I've watched that with her it would be close to a hundred. She is absolutely in love with Ryan Gosling.

"Fine. But you know I hate sad movies! If I watch it you have to watch two scary movies with me!" I laughed.

"Fine! Well I've got to get these groceries to my mom then head to work. Ill be at your house around seven tomorrow alright?" she asked.

"Sounds good!" I smiled, grabbed some apples and headed out of that place as fast as I could.

… … …

Billy's POV

"Wait slow down Jacob! What's going on here?" I said, trying to wheel myself in the middle of Jacob and Paul. The boys had stormed into my house yelling a bunch of nonsense.

"He!" Jacob yelled fiercely, pointing at Paul, "Imprinted on Rachel!"

Dear god. I knew it was likely to happen that one of my daughters get imprinted on, solely because the gene ran boldly through their blood. The stronger the gene the more likely to pass to the next generation. Of course that's not all imprinting is about but it does hold a strong affect.

But Paul! Of all the werewolves it had to be Paul! The most temperamental of them all.

"Like I can control it! Its destiny, nothing in the world could have changed that." Paul roared back viciously.

"She would be better dead then with you!" Jacob sneered.

Paul started shaking violently.

"Paul, calm down! He didn't mean it. Do you really want to have Rachel walk in and see you like this?" I said calmly. Though inside I knew how close he had come to phasing.

Paul slowly composed himself and took a seat on the coach.

"Jacob sit down!" I ordered. God, these kids are no good for my blood sugar.

"Are you two ready to have a civil conversation now?" I asked.

"Yes sir." Paul answered quickly.

"Kissing up already, huh?" I laughed.

"N-no sir." Paul mumbled.

Ha! Paul, nervous? That's a first.

"Cheer up kid. You're her imprint I have to like you." I chuckled, rolling my eyes.

"I don't." Jacob grumbled.

"Now, now. Lets get along here. So tell me what happened." I said folding my arms.

"I was walking down the beach right after patrol, when all the sudden this little white fur ball started barking and running right at me. I saw a girl, Rachel, running right after it. She caught its leash before it reached me. When she looked into my eyes you can imagine what happened." He said smirking, a dopey look coming over his face.

"You don't got to make it sound so … weird." Jake protested.

"You weren't even there." Paul growled.

"Well? What did she do?" I asked redirecting the conversation back to the original course.

"…She ran away." He mumbled looking down at his shoes.

"What?" I asked fighting the urge to laugh.

Jacob on the other hand didn't fight it at all he burst out laughing, almost falling on the floor. Paul started to shake again.

"Jacob compose yourself. Paul if you want a chance with my daughter your going to have to learn to control your anger." I said seriously to both of them

"Sorry." Paul murmured.

"Now, what do you mean she ran away? What did you say?" I asked incredulously.

"I didn't say anything! I have absolutely no idea why she left." He said, sounding defeated.

"Who wouldn't leave running after seeing your face?" Jacob laughed.

"Jacob am I going to have to make you leave the room?" I asked astonished by how he was acting. Surprisingly though Paul wasn't shaking. He did look upset though.

"No." he muttered sitting back and crossing his arms.

"Paul, maybe you just need to give her some time. Get to know her." I suggested.

Before Paul had the chance to reply the front door busted open and Rachel walked in carrying a couple of grocery bags.

"You know it would help if you guys grabbed some of-" but she stopped short, her eyes widening as she saw Paul.

Suddenly she tripped on the rug and groceries went everywhere. Paul was up in a flash.

… … …

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