Chapter 20
I hung the ultrasound picture of the baby on the fridge. It was a simple stomach ache that was possibly brought on by raw chicken or that honey tea. I'm guessing my body is finally adjusting to a wolf baby or something else is going on.. Jacob took his picture and showed mostly everybody.
I'm guessing it'll be different reaction from everybody. I'm sure the secret will be out that I had a late night visit at the hospital. Pack mind where everything and anything is up in the air. I rub on my stomach. I don't see no change in body weight. I don't have a bump and I'm almost two months. I wonder if my body is going to change or just stay the same.
I tried to get in contact with the council but no one is answering. I should've known. You come to them and not the other way around. It's no way I'm traveling up for some answers. I'll just wait it out and see how thins go. I fist pump the ultrasound picture of beanie Sarah.
My kitchen door opens up to Embry and Quil. "Hi, Lacie." They say greeting me standing in the doorway. I guess they're waiting on me to invite them in. "Come in." I say sitting down at the kitchen table. "Is it safe?" Quil asks me. I nod my head. "We're supposed to ask and not stress you out or anything." "It's safe. Come in." I say looking directly in Embry's face. He's acting weird.
I haven't seen him since the whole episode at Sam's house. They both walks in closing the door behind them and taking seat the table. "How you feeling?" Embry asks me. "I'm feeling fine. I see no Jacob today." I say putting my hands on the table. "Yeah, he had work today. So, it's kind of been off." He say. "He had a moment two days ago and I thought he think I was losing the baby." I say nodding my head.
"It was probably something else, Lacie." Embry say. "You mean Mr. Howard? He finally found me after two months I mean word on the street was that he was gone and never coming back. So, what you all talk about?" I ask them. "When?" Quil asks. "In the middle of the hallway when I was in the hospital room. I know he said something and asked questions about me. So, what he asked?"
"Can't tell." He say shrugging his shoulders. "Right, that don't tell policy that you guys have. Have you heard anything from Bella? And, mostly how is Paul?" I ask looking at Embry who's staring at the ultrasound. "Paul is not too good. He's a vicious animal and with Bella being gone for almost a week. It's something else. Have you heard from Bella?" Quil asks while I look at Embry.
"Nope, I have not heard a damn thing from her. I tried calling, texting and even video chatting but everything has cut off. So, yeah. She comes back. It's nothing left to say." "She didn't want to worry you." Embry say finally looking at me. "Or for me to try and stop her because I could and I have the power too." I say playing with the salt shaker.
Quil just nod his head. "I would offer you food but I threw that chicken out that Jacob cooked." "You mean the raw chicken he cooked for thirty minutes and mostly covered it up with seasoning?" He asks. I laugh nodding my head. Ah, thirty minutes.
"Yeah, that's why we wanted to talk to you. You're not mad at him?" He asks. "Yeah, I am. He offered raw chicken to me and my teacher. I'm sure Mr. Howard is sick too." I say shaking my head. I'll be going back to his class in a few more days. I don't want to face him after everything that has happened.
It get silent as both Quil and Embry stare at me. I look at Quil who's looking around the kitchen and Embry who's looking down at my hands. "Don't beat around the bush. It's no secrets. So, go ahead and ask." I say leaning back in the chair. "It's nothing." Embry say shrugging his shoulders. "Okay, so do you guys want to hang out? We can go to the movies or something." I say standing up.
"We're good. We just came to see how you're doing." He say. I nod. I don't have time for games and I'm already stressed out. "Okay, whatever. You two do what you wanna do and I'll go upstairs." I say walking to the fridge looking at the picture one more time as I see both of the guys looking at me. I knew it was something more.
"I don't have time for games. What is it?" I ask not facing them. "Bella's back." I hear Quil say. Bella's back. "I don't know what to say. She'll come around when she wants too. I don't beg nobody and she proved that she didn't care for the lives of others nor her life. So, it's over and done with. I'm here when she needs me and not the other way around." I say keeping my eyes on the ultrasound.
"She been back for a couple of days now." Embry say. Wow, Jacob did not tell me that nor Bella called me. "That's funny. So, how's Paul doing? She left for her Edward her ex-boyfriend. So, things should be going down south for them." "Um..." Quil drags out. "Things happen for a reason." I say opening up my fridge. "But you don't try to play God, Lacie." Embry finally say. I sense a tone in his voice.
"No one plays God but doctors, Embry. They're the closest ones to God. Well, mothers are too. Play God with what?" I ask turning around not seeing where he's going with this. Quil looks at Embry. "Bella's not Paul's imprint." He say. Quil looks at me for an answer. "I don't know what goes on in your pack. I'm not pack, Embry. I'm not there for everything and what's goes on between Bella, Paul, and Edward is none of my business. So, why bring it up?" I ask them.
"You might not be Jacob's, Lacie." Quil say sadly. I nod my head what they're saying. "That's between me and Jacob but I understand what you're getting it. I been thinking about it and I'm sure me and him has some talking to do. I got it from the first time when you all came into my house with Sam, Quil. We all have lives." I say sick of the conversation.
I don't have time for them. "I don't have time for any of you guys. Bella, don't call me and I'm pretty sure everything is over and done with. She has protection on all sides and don't need me. I have other things to worry about that's way important with her. You all do what you all was born or made to do and I'll go about my business. It's between me and Jacob." I say and close the fridge.
They stay quiet. "You wouldn't had lied to us?" Embry asks. "Everything out of my mouth is the truth. We all have secrets and I'm sure you're all is keeping a whole lot. At the end of the day, it's still hurts to be betrayed." I say getting into my feelings and not trying to fake cry. Quil looks at Embry again. He keeps looking me in the face.
"What's done is done and the future is not written in stone. I'm new at this too and I didn't know anything about you guys and the same goes you all. The future changes, Embry. People lose feelings and start to go left about it. You just move on with your life and hope for the best. I'll talk to Jacob and he has a problem. We'll talk it out. I'm out of the loop too and things is falling apart." I say and nod my head.
It get silent as I let them both digest my words. "I'm sorry but if I knew Jacob was probably not or however it was. I never in my life would've took that chance, Embry. I'm sorry, I broke your heart. I'm sure your angel is out there." I say hoping he doesn't cry in my kitchen. Quil rubs on his back. "Maybe, I already found her." He say.
I was afraid he was going to say that. Quil looks at me waiting on me to respond. "I don't want you to get your hopes up because I don't know what's actually going to happen, Embry. I don't know what you want me to say without breaking your heart but I'm not going anywhere and you know where I live. Our lives are just starting but I have to respect Jacob. You don't know for sure about what's actually going on." I say.
"I do." "Okay, Embry. I mean you don't know how Jacob is going to handle this situation and we're still together. I don't know because it might be another trick or something. I'll have to talk to Jacob but I'm new at this and you'll find someone who'll be better than me in so many ways. She's your soulmate, Embry. I'm only here to lead people to greater things and be there. Your soulmate is out there and you just love my glitter." I say hoping he get what I mean.
Quil looks back at Embry. He shake his head. "Don't let glitter block your eyesight, Embry. I'm only shinning because I'm a new toy. I like the fact that we're all still teenagers. It's nothing but a crush. A strong one and it'll go down." I say nodding my head. Don't put on the pity look, Quil. "Only a strong hold crush, Embry." I say when neither of them say anything.
It get silent again. "I don't know what the future holds and I am not a seer but we're only in our teen years, Embry. I have a baby to think about and her father is still going around doing the best to protect her and everybody else. It's too much going on but you'll find her Embry." "Do you know where she is at?" Quil asks. "No, I do not. I'm not a seer but it's a crush. I don't want to keep breaking your heart or anyone else's." I say leaning up against the counter.
It get silent as neither way to say anything. "Look, I'm tired. Mostly from the hospital visit. Jacob's working and don't get off till probably a couple more hours. I'm going to lay on the couch. You need me. I'm there. Help yourself to food or whatever." I say leaving out of the kitchen leaving both of them in there. I stop walking and sigh. I turn back around to see both of them staring in my face.
How is Paul? "Nevermind." I say turning back around and flopping down on the couch. "Not supposed to flop while pregnant." I hear Quil yell from the kitchen. "Hmn." I respond feeling tired. Let's see. Bella been back for a few days. Might not be Jacob's imprint. We'll handle that. Most of all. Mr. Howard came back from the dead. That's the main thing and main problem. I groan falling asleep.
I've been staring at the computer screen for a couple of hours. I brought up the airport website from the time I was going to buy a ticket to Italy to save Bella or to bring her back home. If I was a really an evil person then I would've fought with Jacob about the whole Bella situation and how could he had hid it from me. I thought she was my friend and if she really needed to go to Italy, I wouldn't had stopped her.
I'll never go anywhere near Vampires and I barely wanna put up with the Cullens. Well, maybe only the doctor other than that it's a big no. She could've told me and I would've understood but they all hid it from me for almost a week. I thought she didn't want to bother me considering the whole pregnancy drama.
They have no right to get mad at me because of what happened. They're Pack and they all hold secrets. I don't know what goes on with the people upstairs. I don't have time for their drama. I have my own to deal with.
It was so bad. I didn't see Jacob move out of my house and move back in with his dad. I look one more time at the website before pressing the X button in the corner. Maybe I should get away from everything. I haven't heard nothing from the Council and obviously my job is not done.
I check my cellphone again to see if I have any texts. None. I'm basically waiting to hear from Bella. She been back for a couple of days and they couldn't had told me. I just want to know what happened and how her relationship with Paul is. He must be pretty mad to know she left to go to Italy to save her ex-boyfriend.
I rest my head on my hand. "I need a vacation." I say out loud. It's raining season now. So, it's no use going to the beach or anything. I don't want to run into the pack. I just need to get away. I hear someone knocking on the front door. I sigh rubbing on my face. Not no more drama. I scoot back from the computer and leave out of my bedroom to answer the door.
I walk down the stairs seeing Jacob walking out of the kitchen. He should be on point to answer the door with his good hearing. I shake my head checking out of the mud spot that's in the middle of the floor and move my sight towards the kitchen where there's dishes in the sink. I guess I'll wash them later. I'm not up to doing them now.
"Lacie, it's for you." Jacob say causing me to sigh. I pray it's not Mr. Howard. It's Sunday and I have to deal with him on Monday. "You know what, Jacob? After the hospital visit, I am not up for no visitors." I say sitting at the kitchen table. "I think you'll want to see who it is." He seriously say. Not really. I get up from the table and walk into the living room.
Who do I see standing at my door? Mr. Howard who's wearing his black trench coat. I look down at his hand and see that he has his black briefcase in his hand. Teachers don't carry briefcases. "Hi, Mr. Howard." I say changing my tone and sitting on the couch arm. "How are you, Ms. Thorne?" He asks me while Jacob stare in my face.
"I am fine. I'm not having no more stomach aches or anything of that matter. I'm feeling a whole lot better." I say patting on my stomach. "That's good to hear." He say nodding. "What brings you by, Mr. Howard?" Jacob asks him. "Just wanted to check on my student, Jacob." He answers nodding his head. "I'm doing fine. I'm still going to class on Monday." I say playing with my hands looking at his briefcase.
I hope he didn't bring me work assignments. I turn around quick looking at the clock that's hanging above the TV. 3:25p.m. "It's still early. So, I brought you a work assignment to get you started." Mr. Howard say causing me to turn back around. I chuckle. "Right, I don't mind. I need to get my grade back up and to stay busy." I say getting off the couch and walking towards towards him and Jacob.
Jacob looks at me as Mr. Howard opens up his briefcase. I need to get back into my school work. "I thought you was Bella." I say as Jacob rubs on my back. "Nope, I'm Mr. Howard." Mr. Howard say. "Yeah, you are and forever will be. How was your day?" I ask him. "Fine, Ms. Thorne." He say handing me a stack of papers. "What is that like forty papers?" I joke flipping through them.
"That's all the work you missed." He say serious closing his briefcase. "That's two months worth, Lacie." Jacob say. "I know, Jacob. I'm not going to have all of this finished by Monday." I say to Mr. Howard. "The top is due on Monday." He say. "I can do that. It's just a simple bio chem worksheet." I say looking at the work assignment. It's three pages long.
"Do you have your book?" He asks. "I left it at school in my locker. I'll just ask Bella if I can borrow hers." I say looking at Jacob. "I can ask her for you. She should be home now." He say nodding his head. "That's good. You'll way behind. You don't want to fail. I know you want to graduate with your class." Mr. Howard say. "Yes, I do. It's still other classes, Mr. Howard." I say.
"You're only in one of mine, Ms. Thorne." He say in that smart tone. Jacob looks at me waiting on me to respond. "Right, Thanks again. Monday." I say looking through the papers again. "Thanks again, Mr. Howard." Jacob say as I walk away from him and Mr. Howard while flipping through the papers. Writing, Work Sheets, Math a little bit, and Essays. Wow.
"You're welcome, Jacob. See you in class, Ms. Thorne." Mr. Howard say and I know he's looking at the back of my head. "See you in class, Mr. Howard." I say walking in the kitchen and putting the papers down on the table. A few minutes later, I hear the door open and closing. Jacob walks into the kitchen. "You don't walk away from an adult, Lacie." He say sitting at the table with me.
"I know and I don't know what's happening between me and Mr. Howard. I was going to respect him as a teacher but then he gave me all of these assignments. It went out of the door." I say going through them and separating them. "What's going on with you?" He asks separating them too. "I'm failing and I know you hid that Bella was back." I say trying not to get an attitude.
"Our baby and your health is first. I was going to tell you but Mr. Howard came then you got sick." He say disappointed. I guess I won't bring the raw chicken incident. He feel bad already. "I'm okay now, Jacob. I'm going back to school and maybe now my attitude will change up for the better. I don't blame you for anything. It happens and it's not going to be the first time you mess up cooking, right?" I ask him.
"It won't." "I know you're trying to protect me and everything but things happen that's out of our control. This Bella and Italy incident will pass like any argument. The best thing we can do is move on with our lives and see that all we have is now and not later. Maybe you should talk to Embry and maybe your father because I'm sure you need to be more home on the tribe and not here in Forks." I say hoping he'll move back.
"I'm not leaving you and the baby alone." He say. "Jacob, I'm perfectly fine. I want my old house back where I was single and by myself. You can't be going back and forth between Forks and La Push. I have school now and you're a sixteen or fifteen year old boy. I'm sure you're not going to like always running into Edward. I just want some time alone plus I'll be in school."
"You're kicking me out." He nearly yells. "Yeah, I am. I need time to myself and I'm kind of mad how things has went south and maybe you need to start hanging with your friends. It's not a kick out. You need to start hanging with Embry and helping him see that I'm only glitter and maybe I'm yours if you're not still hung up over Bella." I say grabbing his hands.
"I'm not hung up over Bella." He say lying. I let it go because I don't go down that path. "If you say so, Jacob. I just want time alone in my house. Hint. Hint." I say hoping he'll get the hint. "I'm not leaving you alone when you just came out of the hospital." He say rubbing his thumbs over my hands.
"Okay, Jacob." I say seeing that he's not getting what I'm saying. "Can you go get the Biology book from Bella's house? I don't want to see her nor walk. I think it's like two books or something." I say taking my hands out of his and holding the assignments up.
"I don't want to be behind than I'm already is. I'll really appreciate it." I say looking down at the papers waiting on him to get up and go get the book. "Right, I'll go ask Bella." He say standing up and kissing my cheek. "Thanks, Jacob." I say to him walking out of the kitchen. I hear the door opening up and closing a few minutes later. I look at the mud stain on the carpet.
I need to clean that up because obviously Jacob doesn't care about how dirty the carpet is getting. I look around at the papers that's scattered all around the kitchen table. That Mr. Howard gives off weird vibe. I'll see how he acts in school then go from there. He already suspect that I attacked him and he has suspicions.
I'm pretty sure he thought I was faking when I had my stomach aches. I wonder what he talked about with Jacob and everybody else. I could find out or just wait it out. He suspect that I did than the cops might be involved and I can be in jail. I can't take that stress. I'll just have to do what I need to do to get him off my back.
I look at my reflection in the microwave door and mostly look at my gray hair. Maybe I should start with that. Get rid of the gray hair but what can I do about my gloved hands. I'll think about that later. Jacob should be back with the biology book. It's a new day and I need to start off new. Get rid of how I look and maybe the students won't suspect me.
I nod before going back through the work assignments. It'll take me maybe weeks but I need to get back on the good side with Mr. Howard. I hear the door opening up and closing. I grin looking at Jacob walking in with the big Biology book. "You ready?" He asks me. "Yeah, and maybe after this you can take me to the hair store." I say looking at him sitting down.
He nods grabbing one of the work sheets. I guess he's not going to ask why. "For what?" He asks. Oh, there it is. "To change my hair color to black." I say feeling on my hair. "Why? I love your hair gray." He say taking some of my hair in his finger and twisting around his fingers. "I need to get on Mr. Howard good side." "That and you don't want it to change up colors while surrounded by people." He say.
That's another reason. I did not think of that. I really am slipping. "I got that part. It's time to pick up the slack and try to get Mr. Howard off my back. He knows where I live and plus I need to get my grades up. So, let's start on the assignments and go from there. Okay?" I ask him. "Okay." He say leaning over the table and I lean over too pecking his lips.
"Let's start with Monday's worksheet." He say grabbing the worksheet. "She did not have no papers for me to look at?" I ask noticing he only had the book. "I didn't ask her and plus you don't want to cheat in life." "No, I do not." I say opening up the book to start my work. Maybe Monday will be different and no drama. I hope.