Once again, I will throw myself at your feet. With high school graduation, camps, and getting ready to head to college, I have had little time to breathe! Thanks to all of my latest reviewers: Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967, and Eve of Faith. This chapter is dedicated to y'all! Please enjoy!
I've got a first-class ticket to a night all alone
And a front-row seat up right by the phone
'Cause you're always on my mind
And I'm running out of time
I've got your hair on my pillow
And your smell on my sheets
And it makes me think about you with the sand in your feet
Is it all you thought it'd be?
You mean everything to me
- Heels Over Head, Boys Like Girls
Chapter 17
You know that feeling –
No, it couldn't even be called a feeling
Because I feel nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Not the wind that hits my cheeks, or the rocks that scrape at my limbs, or the frigid wall of water that hits my skin every damn time I jump.
So I just keep jumping. It's like what cutters say. I need to know that I'm still alive. It had been a week since she left, and nothing had changed. Not a damn thing. I still felt like shit.
I know I'm being melodramatic. If I looked at myself at this time a few months ago, I would've slapped myself silly. I had just gotten over Bella by the end of the summer, and I vowed to myself that I would never get that low again. But no, I had to fucking imprint.
I sighed. Just the word brought her face to mind. The last time I saw her. I saw her tear-streaked cheeks, and the fear that flashed in her eyes that day at the school. I'd seen what Sam had done to his love, and I thought I was a little bit above him. I would never hurt my imprint. I would never hurt her like he hurt Emily, like she hurt me.
I promised myself that I wouldn't be like that fucking asshole Paul, either. But no, I'd let my damn temper gain control over everything. As wolves, we often forget how fragile everyone else is in comparison. I had forgotten.
And I'd let her down. She had trust issues; I'd gathered that much. I don't know what, or who made her that way, but I was going to be different. We were gonna live with each other for the rest of our lives, for God's sake. I would prove to her that I was different from all the assholes.
And you know what? I'll prove it to her. Right now.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
I quickly shifted, and ran home from the cliffs. I didn't pack anything; I didn't need to. I would run the whole way there. Time was everything.
I had to make sure that she didn't forget me.
I wrote a quick note to my dad.
Gone to find Cecily. Please understand.
Jake
At least this time, I gave him warning.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Embry's POV
My legs were ready to collapse. Since that rogue vampire decided to make an appearance, Sam's had us double up on patrols. Since the group of single werewolves in this pack seems to be getting smaller and smaller, it's fallen to us to run these extra shifts.
God, I hated Jake. Ever since Quil imprinted, it had been us. Just us. The two musketeers. Copadres. Amigos. And now that Jake's found his ball and chain, it's just been me.
All these thoughts were running through my head when I saw russet streak past me. Jake was headed east, going so fast that he was only a blur. He's going to get Cecily. Shit. I had to stop him, before Sam found out and kicked my ass for letting him leave again.
Yes, again. I'm the one who let him go when Bella married that parasite. Hell, I felt bad for him. Being there for someone, only to have them betray you, that's tough shit. So I let him go. But not this time. He can't throw his life away again.
I picked up my speed, soon matching his. I slammed into him, and forced him to the ground. He swatted at me, ripping across my face. But I held him down, refusing to be bested by him. Again. I soon heard him in my head.
What are you doing man? Let me go! He tried to pry my paws off his chest.
I shook my head no, holding fast. Hell if I do! I'm not letting you throw your life away chasing after a girl.
Anger burned in his eyes. Don't you damn talk about her that way! She's not just some girl! She's my imprint. Cecily's my whole life. I gotta get her back. You just don't understand.
I pushed harder into his fur, drawing blood. And I don't want to! Imprinting is hell. It's done some crazy shit to you man.
Please dude! You're my best friend! Please, just let me go.
He whined, and I looked at his face. I saw the crazed, love-struck look in his eyes, and knew it was no use. He would get back to her somehow, no matter how I felt about it. Slowly, I removed my claws, and allowed him to stand up. He bobbed his head in thanks, and ran in his original direction.
I sighed, Yeah, some best friend.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Jacob's POV
My head was filled with the sound of my paws hitting the ground. That's all I could process, all I could think about. It's all I could do to keep myself from going insane. Right. Left. Right. Left.
I got to the border of Colorado when I collapsed from exhaustion. Night had fallen long ago. Every bone, every muscle screamed. Being away from her takes its physical toll.
And plus I was hungry. Starving actually.
I could see lights shining in the distance. Maybe I could get some food there. It was when I changed back that I realized that I hadn't brought an extra pair of shorts with me. Shit.
Well, this will be fun.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
I finally reached the lights, and found myself on the city limits of a small town called Arkedelphia. Do aardvarks live here? Jacob, focus! You need to find covering so you don't scare the children! I ran around the border, searching for the poor part of town. Hopefully, there would be a clothesline with a pair of pants my size.
Eventually, I found a trailer park deep in the woods. It shouldn't be too hard to find something here. Now, to get them without being seen . . .
Hmmm, what would be less scary? A naked guy or a giant wolf?
Those are the questions I'm faced with in my life.
I went with wolf. There's less responsibility that way. And if there's one thing that no teenager wants, it's responsibility.
I quietly crept up to a pair of jeans. I had them in my mouth and was close to the woods when a light flashed behind me. I slowly turned around and was faced with a knocked-up girl in a tube top. "Holy shit! Momma, a varmint's got Billy's fancy jeans!"
"I'm comin' baby!" Now enters an old lady with a shotgun in her hand. Oh no.
I ran, the sound of bullets following me. For a grandma, she sure knew how to shoot. When I got far back enough into the woods, I phased and slipped on my new jeans. Now for food . . .
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Cecily's POV
After a less-than-fulfilling night of sleep we headed over to the park. I had partied again after the football team won on Friday. And again on Saturday, when my favorite college team won their game. The past week had been a blur, to be honest. I hadn't had a sip of alcohol in La Push, and my body had gotten used to it. The slip back to my old ways was a shock to my system.
Everywhere I looked, I saw glimpses of black and brown, brown and black. It was just like the first day at the rez school. Tables were piled high with blankets, clothing, shoes, rugs, pottery, dolls, purses, knives, pipes, and headdresses. There was jewelry covered in beads, feathers, bells, and fur. I took a piece home every year. All the booths were centered around the tribal ring, which stood around a massive bonfire, which would be lit when the whole thing officially started. My favorite part, the tribal dancing, wouldn't until the afternoon. Right now, there were games and crafts.
I got to my favorite jewelry booth when someone jumped onto my back. "AHHHH!" I grabbed wildly for the edge of the table, but not soon enough. I lost my balance and fell over, taking the booth along with me. Whoever was on my back landed next to me, while the table landed on me. A massive pile of right, bracelets, and necklaces covered my face and body. Silence enveloped me.
"Are you okay?" A masculine voice questioned, struggling between fits of laughter.
"Ughhh," was all that came out.
I felt the mountains of metal, leather, and cloth being brushed off of me as I was helped up from the ground. A familiar face filled my vision.
"Yana!" I wrapped the Native American boy in the biggest hug I could muster. Wow, more like man now. Why is everyone taller than me? He was like a freaking giant.
"Cecily, you know I go by Yanaha now." He looked at me sternly.
"Yeah, yeah whatever. Look, we've known each other since we were seven. I've always called you Yana, and that's who you're going to be for the rest of eternity. At least to me. Does your grandfather still think that you're supposed to be chief? Did he make you cut your hair too? I miss your long hair . . . YANA!"
He nodded, "Yeah, the crazy old coot thinks that I'm supposed to succeed my father as chief of the Cherokee. We can't seem to get into his mind that we don't have chiefs anymore. But he insists that I'm old enough to be called by my full name. So at least call me that in front of him. Please?"
I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Chief Yanaha, your majesty, sir." I gave him a salute.
Someone next to us gave a loud cough. I turned to face a short little Indian woman. She grew red in the face as she spat out. "What do you little hooligans think you've done? Who's going to fix my booth?"
Yana smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Mrs. Blackfire. We'll fix your table."
After spending a full 25 minutes fixing Mrs. Blackfire's booth to her exact specifications, I spotted my mom and Yana's dad talking next to one of the other booths. Mom waved both of us over.
"Yanaha, you've grown so big! Goodness, you're taller than your father now." She pulled out a camera. "You two smile now."
I rolled my eyes, but put my arm around Yana. I felt him sniff my hair and . . . growl? The flash went off, blinding me. I looked to my right and found a very angry looking Yana.
He leaned close and whispered. "Woods. Now."
Confused beyond belief, I said goodbye to my mom and followed Yana back behind some trees. He whipped around, his eyes almost black.
"Why do you smell like shapeshifter?"
And more drama begins! Please review for me! The new format makes it so easy! I decided to bring back required reviewing. I absolutely will not update again until I get at least 5 reviews. If you do, free cupcakes will be headed your way.