27

Training

Kelsey

The pack shifts into their wolf forms. I climb onto Paul's back, one hand already resting on my rifle, which is holstered on my hip. Let's do this.

He leaves me at the designated spot before joining up with the rest of the pack. Across the clearing from them, the Cullens are standing in a kind of spear point formation. Bella hangs back, looking both tired and awkward. Same girl, same.

I'm too far to hear, but from what I can tell, Edward is translating for Sam. After that, Carlisle speaks, and then it's time for the fighting. Emmett goes up against Jasper.

They move almost faster than my eyes can track. Emmett charges, Jasper evades. It looks kind of like a deadly dance. Edward is watching this all go down with a look of barely concealed glee. At last, Jasper manages to catch Emmett in a headlock.

Then it's Jasper vs. Alice. This time, the dance is even more intense; a deadly tango that ends with Alice as the winner. She barely moves, but she moves enough. She's good.

The fight between Edward and Jasper takes a lot longer. From what I can gather, Jasper has more experience, but Edward can read his thoughts and stay ahead of him. At last, they call that one a draw.

I watch as the rest go through the cycle. Some of them are good: Rosalie, Carlisle. Some, not so much: Esme. But Jasper seems to be coaching her, and eventually, she catches on. I get the feeling that Esme's a lover, not a fighter.

They keep at it until after five in the morning. Everyone improves a little, which makes me think that they might all survive. The wolves watch and mentally take notes.

I camp out on Emily's couch, attempting to get at least a couple hours of sleep before my first day of working at the Coffee Bean. I leave early in order to grab breakfast on the way to work. Lauren Mallory is waiting for me.

"Hey, Kelsey." Lauren flashes me a small smile. "You ready for this?"

"Sure am."

I'm working the counter when Paul and Jared enter. Paul's face lights up a little when he sees me.

"Hey, Kelsey."

"Hey, Paul. What can I get for you?" I ask, prepping to enter the order into the system.

"A caramel apple latte and a chai tea."

"You got it. It'll be 8.99." I print the receipt and pass it over, letting my fingers rest against Paul's for a second before retracting my hand.

Paul's waiting out by my car after work. I stretch up to kiss him in greeting.

"Hey. What's up?"

"Well, I'm just here to ask if the beautiful barista would like to have dinner with me." He winks at me.

"Sure. Where to?" I ask, fumbling with my keys.

"The diner?"

"Sure. Sounds good."

We claim a corner booth and study the menus while we wait for our waitress to take the order.

"How was work?" Paul asks.

"Good. A little overwhelming, because it's my first job and there's a lot I need to learn, but good."

"I'm glad to hear it. You going to training with us today?"

"Wasn't planning on it. Why? Do you want me to go?" I ask, stirring the diet Coke around my glass with my straw.

"It depends. Are you feeling up to it? You had a chaotic couple of days. Emily and Kim aren't going, either."

"Okay. Well, in that case, my bed is calling my name." I quip, tucking some of my hair back from my face. "Keep me updated, though."

"Course."

I wake late the next morning, relieved that no highs or lows woke me up. I stretch slowly before getting up to grab some breakfast.

"You and Paul?" Edward asks with a slight look of distaste. It's not the first time he asked the question, but I think he keeps hoping we'll break up.

"Yeah. He's great. Treats me well. Listens when I have something to say. Doesn't discount my opinion or free will." I level a steely glance at Edward.

"He's a werewolf; he's dangerous."

"And you're not?" I slip my phone into my pocket and grab my backpack.

"Where are you going?" Bella asks.

"Out." I don't care about what she thinks.

"Out where? It's dangerous out there, Kelsey."

"To Mars, Bella. To fucking Mars." I roll my eyes and grab my keys. In a flash, Edward has his hands over mine, trying to pry the keys out of my grasp. "Don't touch me!" I snap, wrenching my hand from his grip, which he loosened due to his surprise.

"You aren't leaving until you answer Bella's question."

"I did." I decide to be annoying.

"Truthfully."

"I'm going to my psychiatrist. Happy?" I level a glare at him.

"Oh right. For your disorder. You know, mind over matter. You don't have any reason to worry so much."

"Edward, what the fuck? You're a mind-reader. I can't possibly be the first person with OCD you've ever met. And I really don't give a fuck what you think about my OCD. You don't live it, therefore you don't get to have an opinion. Now I suggest you move your ass out from in front of the door before I break out the cigarette lighter and start a bonfire right here."

"Kelsey!" Bella gasps.

It has the intended effect, though. Edward moves. Seems like he's decided not to pressure me to be nice to him. Smart move.

I'm still fuming when I pull up outside Dr. Blair's office. I have to take a few minutes to reign in my temper before I can enter the building.

I've been seeing Dr. Blair since I moved here a little over a year ago. He prescribes the medication I use to treat my OCD. I check in with him with varying frequencies, depending on when my doses were last adjusted.

"How was your appointment?" Dad asks. The two of us are grabbing dinner. Bella's somewhere with Edward.

"Good. My doses stayed the same." Dad nods, looking a little awkward. He doesn't know how to handle talking about my OCD. But he tries, which is more than I can say for Renee.

"How are things with Paul?"

"Good. He took me out to dinner yesterday and checked in with me after my appointment today." I smile, relaxing back into my booth.

"That's great, Honey. I'm glad to see that you are still hanging out with your other friends, too." He's referring to the shopping trip Emma and I planned. Emma works at the restaurant and we were placed in her section.

"I want to have a healthy relationship. I don't want Paul to be all my world consists of. My friends are very important to me, too."

"Good. Just as long as it's a healthy relationship. I still worry about Bella, sometimes."

"Me too, Dad, me too."

A/n: Hi, guys! So I'm so sorry I haven't posted in over a week; it's been VERY hectic. So, here's the deal: if we can get to 100 reviews, I'll update on Friday AND post the first chapter of my new story. It's only eight reviews away. We can do it, y'all! Thanks! Later!

Lauren.

Replies to reviews:

Twilightfanjm: I'm back to give you more! LOL. I hope you had a good Christmas. I hope you like this chapter too; please review and let me know.

Amazinglyme424: I am so glad you love this story. One of my friends has a heart condition that can be really scary. But she's in band, and she knows ASL, and she is really into disability culture, and we have some strange inside jokes. One of my goals in writing Kelsey is to show that people with chronic illness are more than just their illness. That being said, though, their illness is part of them, and they have to do certain things to stay healthy. We, as a society, need to normalize chronic illness being a PART of you, although not DEFINING you. One of my favorite blogers, Kerri Sparling (sixuntilme), says, "Diabetes doesn't define me, but it does help explain me." I think that's true for any illness. In case you can't tell, I'm very passionate about this. LOL. I hope you like this chapter, too; please review and let me know.