Chapter Eighteen
Little Black dress
Disclaimer.
Rachel's POV
The next day I steered clear from Becca, and she didn't seam to mind. We both got rather silent when in the same room and it was getting rather obvious that we were fighting, so instead of having to go through dad's questions I decided to take Paul up on his offer and got with him to hang with the pack.
"Hey dad? Do you need anything before I leave?" I asked him, sitting on the couch next to his wheelchair.
"I should be fine Hun. Where you going?"
"Well, I was planning on going to see Julia today. Paul had explained to her what had happened with Rebecca and she said it was fine, to just come and pick up my new schedule for the week when I got back. Then after that Paul wants me to go to Emily's house to hang out with the pack." I smiled.
"Alright sweetie. You taking your sister? If she does you'll have to make sure the guys are careful what they say around her." he asked, like he had noticed something weird between us.
"Um no. I believe she has plans with Teresa today." I shrugged. It was true, thank god or else I would have had to make up another reason as why Becca wasn't coming with me. Teresa was one of her best friends from high school, other than Leah and me. Though Teresa was nice, she was a bit on the wild side for Leah and me.
"Take care." He said turning back toward the T.V.
I went to my room, changing into some blue jeans and a 'Beetles' t-shirt.
I heard honking outside and quickly brushed through my hair, running outside. Paul got out opening the passenger door for me.
"Hey honey, you feeling any better?" he asked me while getting back into the car.
"Besides the unbelievable awkwardness between me and Rebecca? Everything's fine." I smiled shrugging.
"Well if it makes you feel any better your always welcomed at my house." He winked.
"Haha very funny." I smiled rolling my eyes.
"Speaking of my house… my dad wants you to come have dinner with us one day." He smiled.
"Paul, does your dad know about you being a shifter?" I asked, suddenly curios. I was actually surprised I hadn't asked him this before.
"Yeah, he's pretty cool with it." He smiled.
"But I thought it was like a policy that you couldn't tell anyone?" I asked confused.
"It is, but when I was first shifting my temper was way worse than it is now. One day he asked me why I was always leaving at night, and started accusing me of doing drugs and stuff and I kind of flipped. From then on I couldn't really lie to him, cause he saw it for himself." He shrugged.
"Well I'd be happy to come to dinner." I smiled, taking his hand.
"Ill make sure and ask I him when he wants to do it." He smiled.
He pulled into the first parking space in front of the library and we both got out, quickly heading inside to avoid the rain.
"Rachel! How's your sister?" Julia asked me as we entered the store.
"She is doing great, thanks for asking. We found out she is having a little girl!" I smiled, going behind the counter with her.
"Really? Well congratulations!" she smiled, hugging me, and handing me the schedule.
"Will I be having any grandchildren anytime soon? I'm not getting any younger you two!" she smirked, laughing.
"Very funny," I smiled rolling my eyes, but blushing deeply.
Soon enough Julia sent us on our way and we where heading towards Emily's house.
It wasn't as awkward around Emily as I thought it would be. Now that I knew Sam had imprinted on her, it was hard to harbor bad feelings because I also knew what it felt like to have an imprint. Not to mention she was incredibly sweet. So as we headed down the dirt path to her house I was actually really excited to see her.
"Rachel!" she smiled, hugging me as we entered the house.
"Hey, how've you been?" I asked smiling.
"I've been great how bout you?"
We kept the conversation flowing easily, and soon I was helping her cook while Paul went to hang with the boys in the living room.
"So, your sisters back huh?" she smiled, stirring the huge bowl of soup in front of her.
"Yeah she is. I actually have a question I'd like to ask you." I said biting my lip.
"Anything," she smiled, adding salt to the soup.
"How do you keep such a big secret from someone who is so incredibly suspicious?" I asked.
"Becca?" she asked knowingly.
"Yes, last night she was drilling me and asking if Jake was on drugs!" I said frustrated.
"Well as hard as this might be Hun, all you can really do is bite your tongue. There was a time when my mom would not stop asking questions, but all I had to remember was that its not my secret, therefore I have nothing to feel bad for." She smiled, rubbing my shoulder.
"Ugh, I just wish Becca wasn't so, I don't know snoopy! I talk in my sleep! What if I spill it then?" I asked worried. This had also been a reason to why I slept on the couch last night.
"Well darling your welcomed to stay here?" she smiled reassuringly.
"Thanks Em. Usually if I go to sleep tired enough, I can stop myself though. " I smiled.
"I hate that everything she said to me last night was completely relevant. I mean as much as I try to convince myself that I don't bottle my feelings up, I know I do." I said sighing.
"Well, then I guess your going to have to find a way to let it out." She said.
I sighed, looking over at Paul. Last night I had spilled my guts to him. I told him how pathetically scared I had always been about coming home. I told him about how I felt that everything she said had been spot on. Of course he sat there reassuring me that everything was fine, that she had it all wrong. That only made me want to tell him more.
After talking with her I headed into the living room, or den if you want to call it that since that's were all the 'wolves' were. I took a seat next to Paul on the couch, and he wrapped his arm around me.
"Ooh, look at those lovebirds." Quil cooed, laughing.
I blushed, and Paul growled. Actually growled.
"You know, if you weren't with Paul, I'd probably ask you out." Brady winked.
Paul shot up, and suddenly Brady darted out of the room. Okay I think I see the temper now. I pulled Paul back down before he could run after him, rolling my eyes.
"Brady's lucky Paul has you here to restrain him! Man that guys fearless!" Embry laughed.
"Like you weren't laying the moves on pretty heavy at the bonfire." I winked, joking.
"What?!" Embry asked in disbelief.
Paul got up again, and this time I watched, laughing as he chased Embry around the backyard.
"Nice." Quil laughed.
Soon after that everyone was gathered around this huge table eating roast stew. It was absolutely horrific to watch the boys, even Paul, fight for food like starving dogs. I now realized Paul had been restraining himself whenever he ate at my house.
"Wow." I whispered to Kim, who had arrived a bit before we started eating.
"You should see them eat pizza." She said shuddering.
I laughed; Kim wasn't as shy as everyone seemed to think. When you got to know her she was actually really funny, and extremely thoughtful.
"Hey Rach!" Leah smiled, walking in during the whole fiasco.
"Hey!" I smiled, as she took a seat across from me, with a large bowl of stew. Thankfully she wasn't as bad as the boys when it came to eating.
"That was mine!" Paul growled, shaking violently at Brady, who had taken Paul's piece of bread.
I rolled my eyes, handing Paul my piece of bread. He smiled sweetly at me then went back to devouring his food.
"See what I mean?" Leah smirked.
"Well I've yet to see him explode." I laughed.
"Should've seen the time I took his muffin."
I laughed, already imagining the scene.
"What?" Paul asked, with a mouthful of food. That only erupted more laughter from Leah and me.
…
"Thanks for inviting me to come with you. I had an amazing time." I smiled at Paul as we pulled into the driveway.
"Please, your welcomed there any time. I'm sure Emily would love it if you were around more actually, she gets tired of all the guys around." He smiled, kissing my forehead.
"Well here comes the hard part of the day." I sighed, unbuckling my seat belt.
"I'm sure you and Becca will be fine." He said sincerely.
"I know we will. Its just going to take a conversation that neither me or her are going to enjoy." I said, saying goodbye and heading inside.
When I walked in I found dad asleep with the T.V. on, and Jacob snoring next to him. I walked passed them quietly and went into my room, where Becca was reading a magazine.
"We need to talk." She said as soon as she saw me, sitting up and setting the magazine aside.
"I know." I said sighing lightly.
"Look, what I said was completely out of line. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." She said, with a pleading look on her face.
"No, there is nothing to forgive. I'm the one who should be sorry. Everything you said was completely true. I was- I am a coward." I said, hoping she would forgive me.
"Rachel, if you're a coward then I'm an even bigger one." She said looking down at her hands. "Rach, when Solomon asked me to marry him… he gave me a choice of staying here."
"Becca, you loved him, of course you choose to leave with him." I said rolling my eyes, taking a seat next to her on the bed.
"Rachel, I didn't choose to go with him because I loved him. I choose to go with him because it was easier to be over there. No one could ask me why I wasn't visiting. I'm not saying I don't love Solomon, but If you had asked me back then why I was leaving, I would have had to lie and say it was because I loved him." She said with a sad smile.
"Becca, we were kids. We were young and naive and confused. Were both here now and that's what counts. Wallowing on the things we did and didn't do isn't going to help." I said hugging her.
"Yeah your right. I just wish it didn't take us so long to come back here. I never realized how much I missed it." She sighed, hugging me back tighter.
"Were good now right? Cause I don't think I can take this much longer." I laughed.
"Yeah, me neither." She smiled, grabbing the magazine again.
Me and her ended up staying up super late, talking about all the newest celebrity gossip.
"Hey! I almost forgot to mention! Teresa invited me and you to a party tomorrow night!" she squealed excitedly.
"Really? You think Leah can come?" I asked.
"Its gunna be pretty big, so I'm sure even if Teresa didn't want her to go she probably wouldn't notice. " She shrugged.
"Cool, sounds fun." I shrugged.
"Ooh! You should bring Paul!" she winked.
"I don't know… "
"Don't be such a downer Rachel. Show your man off!" she laughed.
"Fine, I'll ask. If he doesn't want to go then don't be upset…"
…
"Sure! Sounds fun!" Paul smiled, devouring a pile of pancakes Becca and me made for breakfast.
"See! I told you he wouldn't say no!" Becca grinned, serving Jacob some more.
"Where's dad?" Becca asked suddenly, realizing his absence.
"He went to Sue's for breakfast." I smirked.
"He and her a thing now?" she asked.
"Nah, he just goes there to get away every now and then." Jake said through a mouthful of food.
"Oh. So Rachel, you been thinking of what you're going to wear to the party?" Becca asked, chewing on some of her special blueberry pancake.
"Not really." I shrugged taking my seat next to Paul.
"Well, since I knew you wouldn't have any party dresses I went and bought us some yesterday with Teresa. Trust me Paul, you'll thank me when you see it." She winked.
Paul gulped blushing slightly, though the color of his cheeks weren't anywhere near as bright as mine.
"What's the dress like?" I asked cautiously.
"Well I got us the same dress but in a different color. I thought it would be a cute twin thing. It's a strapless dress that only goes to mid thigh, and it's made out of this like elastic cloth so its pretty tight." She smiled, looking at Paul.
"Okay yeah by the sounds of that I don't think I'm going to wear it." I scoffed.
"Come on Rachel, I know it sounds skanky but trust me its more classy than skanky!" she pleaded.
"I'll try it on, but I'm not making any promises." I shrugged, eating my pancakes.
"So I have work in a few, but what time should I pick you up?" Paul asked, getting up and washing his dish.
"Seven." Becca piped up.
"Wait, shouldn't someone else drive though? You car only has three seats and Leah's coming too." I asked.
"We can take your car right?" Becca asked.
"Fine by me." I shrugged.
"Alright, well I'll see you later babe." Paul said, swooping in and kissing me.
"Be careful!" I called after him as he exited the door.
Jake, Becca, and me finished our food making small conversation here and there.
"So you and Paul done it yet?" Becca asked me, after Jake had left to his room.
"What? No!" I said appalled.
"What its an honest question." She shrugged.
"Well if you remember our childhood at all then you would remember how mom and dad always drilled us on how important it is to wait until after marriage." I said cleaning my dishes.
"Come on, they weren't that strict about it. Me and Solomon did it before we got married." She shrugged.
"I don't know Becca." I sighed," I want to do it right you know?" I asked, leaning against the counter in thought.
"Yeah, Paul seems to be the chivalry type anyway." She smiled knowingly.
"What do you mean?" I asked drying the dishes.
"Well he always opens every door for you, he wont let you carry any bags, I mean he is super sweet to you." She shrugged, smiling.
"I know. I really don't think I deserve him. He is way to good to me." I smiled.
"I'll take him." Becca winked.
"Sure. Lets see what Solomon thinks of that. Or better yet what your daughter thinks of that." I laughed.
"Eh I'm sure she'd be smart enough to appreciate the fine piece of man he is. Though I'm not sure Paul would be too fond of being away from you." She giggled.
"You act as if he worships me or something." I rolled my eyes, smiling.
"Cause he does!" she insisted.
"Eat your pancakes." I laughed.
…
"Okay so do you want the black one or the red one?" she asked smiling.
She had taken the time to curl my hair, and had straightened hers. I had done my make-up in a gold and brown Smokey- eye, some blush, and a clear lip-gloss. Hers was identical to mine, to play off the whole twin thing she liked to do whenever we went out.
"Um I think I'll go with the black." I said, taking the dress and changing into it.
"Paul so owes me for this." She laughed.
I rolled my eyes, zipping the gold zipper on the right side. She quickly dressed in the red one and zipped it up.
"Oh I bought some shoes too!" she smiled, grabbing a bag. She pulled out identical pairs of black platform pumps that had golden rhinestones on the heel.
"Becca how much did you pay for all this?" I asked, staring at the shoes in awe. Though I wasn't sure about how high the heel was, I could definitely appreciate a nice pair of shoes.
"Don't worry about it, I mean it's the least I can do for making you come all the way to Hawaii." She rolled her eyes laughing.
"Thanks Beck." I smiled hugging her. Suddenly car lights lit up the window, so we hurriedly put the shoes on and headed out side after saying bye to dad.
"Hey Rach…" Paul trailed off looking at my outfit.
"Told you so." Becca winked.
I smiled rolling my eyes, swatting at his arm. I got in the front seat of my car, letting Becca into the back cause I was sure Paul's big form wouldn't fit in my small back seats.
"First we have to stop by and get Leah, then we will be on our way." I said, heading in the familiar path to the Clearwater's house. Soon we arrived and I took my seatbelt off.
"Be back," I smiled stepping out of the car and going to get Leah.
"Hey," Leah smiled, getting out of the house before I even rang the doorbell. She was wearing a grey tight fitting halter dress and some grey heals.
"That's a cute dress!" she smiled," Though I wouldn't peg it as your type."
"That's cause Becca bought it." I laughed, opening my car door and bringing the seat forward to let her into the back.
"Party here we come!" Becca squealed.
Rolling my eyes I drove the short way to Teresa's house. To say it was packed was a complete understatement. Cars were parked on her grass, and all the way around the corner. We had to walk for forever to get to the house from were we parked.
Becca bolted in front of us all and opened the door walking right in. Paul smiled taking my hand and leading us in the cramped building.
"Gah, it smells like alcohol." Leah winced.
"Becca better not try and sneak a sip. Its bad for the baby." I said looking around for her, but it was no use cause she had already disappeared into the crowd.
Soon Leah found herself a cute guy and walked off to dance with him.
"Want to dance?" I asked Paul, smiling up at him. He smirked grabbing me by the waist and pulling me to the dance floor with him. It was a fast song and I laughed at his silly moves, twirling around with him. Soon a slow song came on and I smiled leaning on his strong chest while he held my waist. It was one of the best feelings ever, to have his arms around me.
After some time on the dance floor Paul and me headed outside for some fresh air that wasn't filled with the stench of alcohol. Paul went back a couple minuets later to get us something to drink.
I sighed looking up at the crescent moon. As the cool breeze ruffled my hair, I leaned against the outer wall of the house.
"Hey sweet cheeks. What's a pretty lady like you doing all alone?" a guy asked, coming out from the backyard. As he stepped closer I could smell the alcohol radiating off of him.
"I'm not." I stated, hugging my arms closer to my body as his eyes skimmed my form vulgarly.
"Well, what do you say we ditch this place and go somewhere private?" he asked, ignoring my statement and walking closer to me so that he was about two feet away.
"I'm not alone, and even if I was there is no way I would go anywhere with you." I spat out, moving away.
"Aww, don't be that way sweet cheeks." He laughed, grabbing my arm. I lashed out, but before my fist could hit him in the jaw his other hand shot out and grabbed it. He was a lot stronger than I anticipated and he held my arms down easily while making a move to kiss me. I quickly hit him in the groin with my knee, trying to run away.
He fell to the floor in pain, but before I could run he grabbed my leg pulling me down to the floor scrapping my knee in the process.
"Get the hell away!" I screamed, kicking him with my heel.
"Nice view here princess." He grinned.
He got up on his knee's making a move to get on top of me. I kicked and squirmed under him, desperately trying to get away.
"Paul!" I screamed, hoping he heard me.
"What's the matter princess? Am I too rough for ya?" he laughed, his breath hot on my skin.
Suddenly he was lifted, or rather thrown hallway across the yard. His body lay there in a twisted heap, and a vicious snarl echoed through the air.
…
Paul is going to flip! You guys like the chapter? I thought I should throw in a cliffy ;D Anyone want to guess what Paul has to say to that guy? It includes his knuckles ;)
Review please c: I'll update faster!