The school day unfolded like any other, with the relentless march of time pushing them from one class to the next. During lunch, as they gathered around their usual spot in the cafeteria, Kim couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Jared and Paul's playful banter continued, but it was tempered by the tension that hung in the air. Embry's face was a swirl of concern and anticipation, his eyes constantly darting towards Jacob.
Jacob Black would be the next one to phase, even Kim could see as much. He moved through school like his body was becoming too small for him, like his skin would break open any moment. He was starting to grow taller already - a clear sign he would even surpass Sam when the time came. Every day he looked less like the dorky sophomore they were used to. There was no question about it, his appearance was morphing into what he was destined to become - an alpha. The wolf was slowly taking his share and nothing could be done about it.
Kim felt bad for him; after all, he was barely sixteen and all that burden would fall on him. But seeing Embry so anxious to get his friend back calmed her a little. If Quil phased soon, their little group would be reunited.
"What are you staring at?" Paul asked, following her gaze. "Ah, yes. Another dum-dum is on our radar," he said, looking pointedly at Embry, who just glared back. "Good eye, Connweller. But I guess it takes a dork to know one," he cackled.
"Hilarious," she rolled her eyes and Jared swung at Paul, but he managed to move in time.
"Don't worry, baby, I'll get him next time," Jared winked at her.
"Baby. Gross," Paul fake shuddered, but they ignored him.
"Hey, I have an idea," Jared said.
"That's a first," Paul grinned.
"How about we all head over to Emily's place after school? It's been a while since we hung out together. Plus, she's been wanting to meet you," Jared added hopefully, batting his eyelashes at Kim.
Kim raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Emily wants to meet me? Why?"
Embry chuckled, his voice tinged with amusement. "She's been hearing about you non-stop from Jared. I think she's intrigued."
"Uh, I don't know. I have-" Kim started.
"Oh, come on, Connweller, don't be a drag! Emily's great. Plus, there's always food there. Aways," Paul said.
Embry chimed in with a grin. "Yeah, Kim, you'll love Emily. She's like the big sister we never had."
"Pretty please?" Jared tried his best puppy-dog look and Kim raised her hands in surrender. A mix of excitement and apprehension swirled within her. She hadn't met many people from Jared's life outside of school, and the idea of meeting someone who seemed so important to him left her with mixed emotions. "Well, if it's okay with her, I'd love to come over."
Jared's eyes softened as he took her hand. "Emily will be thrilled to have you. We'll go there after school."
As the school day ended, the group made their way to Emily's house. The journey took them through the familiar streets of La Push, the towering trees casting dappled shadows on the road. The scent of the forest hung in the air, along with the crisp smell of winter.
"What's Emily's place like?" Kim asked.
Embry chimed in with a grin. "It's pretty cool, actually. Emily's got this amazing view of the ocean from her porch. Plus, she's a great cook. You won't want to miss her homemade fry bread. But, just, don't stare at her, though. Sam doesn't like it."
"Why would I stare at her?"Kim asked, genuinely puzzled, but her question remained unanswered as Jared parked in front of the house.
Kim couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as they approached. The scent of the ocean hung in the air, mingling with the aroma of something delicious cooking inside.
Emily's house was a cozy, welcoming place, nestled against a cluster of tall pines reaching up for the sky. The porch overlooked the vast expanse of the ocean, offering a breathtaking view of the waves crashing against the shore. As they approached the front door, Kim couldn't help but notice the tranquility of the surroundings, the soothing sound of nature providing a backdrop to their arrival.
"The front door, Cameron? Oh, are we being polite today?" Paul teased. Shaking his head, Jared knocked on the door, and within moments, it swung open to reveal Emily's long, dark hair and a warm smile. But, Kim couldn't help but notice the angry, red patterns of scars that adorned one side of her face, like a tapestry of stories etched into her skin. One of them pulled slightly at the corner of her left eye. Don't stare, Embry's words echoed inside her head.
"Since when do you guys use the front door?" Emily greeted Jared with a hug before turning her attention to Kim, her smile widening. "Oh, hi! What a lovely surprise! You must be Kim. I've heard so much about you and I'm so happy you're finally here."
Kim offered a warm smile, her thoughts about the scars still squeezing her insides. "It's great to meet you, Emily. Jared has told me a lot about you too."
Emily's laughter was infectious, and it put Kim at ease. "Well, we're going to have a great time today. Come on in. Sam's going to miss out, because he's out patrolling."
The interior of the house was cozy and inviting, with a spacious kitchen and a large, well-lit living room adorned with a myriad of photographs, capturing moments frozen in time, each one telling a story of laughter, love, and cherished memories. As they settled in, Kim couldn't help but feel the warmth and sense of belonging that seemed to emanate from the very walls. It was clear why this place held a special significance for their group.
Emily moved gracefully, her smile illuminating the room like a beacon of welcome. With a gesture of hospitality, she presented a spread of snacks and drinks on a polished wooden coffee table. The snacks were an assortment of delights, from homemade cookies that crumbled at the slightest touch to a colorful array of fruits. Steam swirled from the mugs of tea and coffee, offering a soothing invitation to partake in the warmth of the moment.
As Kim settled onto a plush sofa, her initial nervousness began to melt away. It wasn't just the delicious treats or the cozy surroundings that put her at ease; it was Emily herself. Emily had a remarkable way of making everyone in her presence feel like they were stepping into the embrace of an old friend.
However, her curiosity about Emily's scars continued to linger in the background. As she helped clear the plates, Kim couldn't help but sneak glances at Emily's face.
Emily noticed Kim's curiosity and chuckled. "I see you've been curious about these," she said, her voice gentle.
Kim felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She had been too obvious. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
Emily smiled, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's okay to be curious, Kim. These scars are a part of my story, a reminder of the past. They're from an accident that happened a while back. It was a difficult time in my life. I guess we could say that they're a reminder that the imprint isn't always smooth sailing," Emily smiled.
"The imprint?" Kim asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"Well, yes," Emily gave Kim a confused smile, "like you and Jar-" She stopped abruptly, eyes wide. An angry red instantly crept up her neck and she opened and closed her lips a couple of times, staring at Kim. "Well, it's, uh, an expression, really. For, um, a relationship with a wolf; yes, um," Emily floundered, revealing herself to be a desperately bad liar. Her awkward attempt at explanation left Kim even more confused. Kim couldn't help but notice the slip, the momentary lapse in Emily's composure.
Curiosity gnawed at Kim, her desire to understand the connection between Emily's scars and the mysterious "imprint" growing stronger. However, she decided not to press the issue. Instead, she offered Emily a warm smile, hoping to ease her discomfort.
"Thank you for sharing that with me, Emily," Kim said. "Your scars tell a story of strength and resilience. I'm glad to know you better."
Emily's eyes softened, her earlier tension dissipating a little. "Thank you, Kim. It means a lot to me."
Before Kim could ask anything else, Jared popped into the kitchen. "Ready to go? Paul and I have patrol, unfortunately. We should really take over for Sam," he said, gently pinching Kim's cheek. Emily instantly turned red again, and Kim didn't miss the panicked look she sent Jared. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but he quickly regained composure and smiled at Emily. "Thank you for having us, Em."
"Of course, you know you're all always welcome. Kim, I'm so happy we met. You should come over whenever you can, with or without Jared," Emily said, her cheeks still flaming.
"Thanks for everything, Emily. I really had a good time," Kim said, managing a smile despite the growing discomfort in her stomach.
The atmosphere inside Jared's truck on the way home was thick with tension and discomfort. The ease they had shared earlier had dissolved into a strained silence, each passing mile growing heavier. Jared tried to chat but Kim kept her gaze fixed on the passing landscape, the gears in her head grinding, trying to make sense of anything Emily'd said.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the truck's interior, as if even the daylight couldn't penetrate the barrier that had formed between them. Kim felt Jared's occasional glances coming her way, boring into her skin. She saw his knuckles tightened on the steering wheel, and his usually relaxed posture was replaced by an almost rigid tension.
Finally, as they approached her house, Jared turned to Kim, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Baby, is everything ok? You seem really upset, and I-"
The words escaped her mouth swiftly, with an edge she didn't know she felt. "Jared, what's an imprint?"
He blanched.