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8/2/2019 Rhyme Mary and Embrys Story "After Breaking Dawn
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Disclaimer:Idon'townanycharactersyourecognizefromtheTwilightSaga.andtootooownsmaryandtheplot
Here'stheMary&Embrystoryyou'vebeenwaitingfor!
SOOO...
Read,andreview...TELLMEWHATYOUTHINK!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rhyme
ChapterOne
"Hey,Mom!"IgreetedasIenteredthehouse.Finally.ItwasoneHeckofawalkfromschool.MaybeI'dtakeanapbeforeImeettheguysatthemall.
"Hey,sweetie!Foodwillbereadyinten!"sheyelledfromthekitchen.
Irolledmyeyes;Mom,orjustAmelia,wasalwaysrushing.It'snotlikewe'reeverthathungrywhenwecomebackfromschool.
SinceDadandAllen,mylittlebrother,werestillnothomeyet,Iwentupstairstochillinmyroom.
Ienteredthedarkpinkroomandthrewmybookbagonthefloor,asifwishingitwoulddisappearifIdid.ExamswerenextweekandIhadalottodo.
Iquicklywenttomybathroomandtookaquick,warmshower.IchangedtomysweatsandT-shirtassoonasIgotout.
Iwasexhausted;Ugh,IhateitwhenIsleeplateatschoolnights.ButIhadtostudysome'Chemistry'.Ihuffedatthenameofthesubject.
Idecidedtotakeabreaktoday,todonothingatallbuthangoutwithmyfriendsandmaybelistentomusicorsomething.Iwenttomycomputerandswitchediton,leavingittoopenasIcombedmyhairanddriedit.Ididn'thaveitinmetodaytodoanythingspecialwithmyhairsoIjustdriedit.Imean,it'sjustanotherdayatthemall.
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Isatdownonmyblackchairandworemyeyeglasses-theonesIonlywearwhenI'mreadingoronthecomputer;itwasn'tthatmuchofadeal.Ididn'twaitforlongbeforeMSNfinallysignedintomyaccount.
IwascheckingmymailandFacebookaccountwhenIheardthefamiliarbeep.OhGod.Who'dchatnow?
MyheartracedinmychestinsurprisewhenIsawthename.IthoughtIdeletedhim?Crap.IhadjustdecidednotaweekagothatI'mtotallyoverthiswholemess!
MaxWatson.
Myalmost-ex-boyfriend.Yeah,Iknowit'scomplicated,butwewerejustsoclosetoeachother,webeganasfriendsthenveryclosefriendsUntilwewereatthatawkwardstage,youknow?Whenyou'reacouplebutnotofficiallyacouple?
Iwasecstaticwhenwewerethatclosebutallmyhopesweresquashedwhenoneday,outofnothingatall,heignoredme.
Hedidn'tanswermycalls,hedidn'ttalktomewhenIdid,notevenasimple'Hi'.Ihatedthat.Iwantedtoknowwhy.Iwantedtosetthisstraight.
Iwantedrelief.
Backtoreality
HeyhesentmewiththisstupidsmileyfacethatIhate.Onlynowthough.
IwasdeterminedtogettheHelloverhim.Iwantedtodoit.
AndIwould.
StaceytriedtoencouragemetoaskguysoutafterIturneddownalot,IwantedtoaskJacoboutbutitturnedoutawful;NessieandJacobhada'thing'andtheyturnedouttobetogether.Ifeltevenworsethanbeforebutshruggeditoff;itwasn'timportantanyways.
Oh,sonowyou'retalkingtome?Isent,mytoneobviousinmyIM.
Ibeganbrowsingthroughmycousin'slatestpicturesasIwaitedforhimtoanswerme;Iwascurious.
Mybad!Iwon'ttalktoyouagain.Satisfied?
Whatdidhethinkhewas?Thiscocky,snobbishkid!Itwaslikehewasgood-lookingandheknewit.IthinkI'mhatinghim.Good.
Yes,Iam,actually.
Ismiledproudly;Iwouldn'tbeabletodothatearlier.Oneday,IsawhimandhisbrotherwhileshoppingwithStaceyandthenextthingIknewIwashyperventilating.
Oh,youare?
You'rebringingthison!
Yes,IAM,Max!So,STAYTHEHELLAWAYFROMME!IDON'TWANTYOUINMYLIFEANYMORE.I'MNOTTHEMARYYOUKNEW.
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Ididn'twaitforhimtorespond.Iblockedhimandsignedoutofmyaccount,myhandssweatingfromallthestress.
Ididit!
Iglancedatmyclockanditwas3:30already,IhadaboutanhourbeforeImovefromhere.Ineededtocallthecabnow,Iguessed.
So,IquicklycalledthecabandwentdownstairstofindMomstillcooking.Tenminutes,huh?
"Mom!It'sbeenanhour!"Igroaned."Youknowwhat,IneedtosleepanywayssoI'lljustgrabsomethingfromthefridgeandheadtomyroom,'Kay?"Shesighed.
"Sorry,butIburntitandhadtore-doeverythingagain.Eatwhateveryouwant.AreyoustudyingChemistrytonight,too?"sheasked,washingherhands.
"No;Iwon'tstudytonightatall;I'llgooutwiththeguysatthemallandjustletmymindrest;I'vebeenworkingalittlebittoohardlately,don'tyouthink?"
Shechuckled."Doyouhaveatimetable?Areyousureyou'dbeabletofinisheverythingbeforetheexam?"sheusedher'Mom'tone.InoddedasIsearchedthroug
hthefridgeforanythingbutthenrealizedshecouldn'tseeme.
"Yeah,"Isaid,grabbingahugebarofchocolateandrunningtomyroombeforeshenoticeditandgavemeawholelectureondiet.
IsnatchedmyiPodfrommydeskandjumpedtomysmallbutcomfybed,settlingonaharmlesssong,onewithoutanythingtodowithheartbreakoranythinglikethat.Ihadone'safelist'thereanyways.It'sbeenayearandahalfsinceMaxstartedignoringmeandIneededtolistentomusic.
Ibegannibblingonmychocolateandcrying;IlovedMax.Ididn'tknowhowIcouldhatehimallofasudden.TheonlywayIbegantogetoverhimisthatIswitchedschoolslastyear.
Ididn'twanttodothat.Somewhereinmysubconscious,Ineededhim.
Thenithitme.
Ididn'tneedhim,notMaxWatsonanyways.
Ineededsomeonetobethereforme,toholdmeclose,tolistentomeandlovemenomatterwhat.Ineededtofillthatgapinme.
MaxwastheclosestthingtoboyfriendthatI'deverhad,andnowIlosthimforgood.Maybe,deepdown,Ihadhope.MaybeIhopedhewouldcomeback.
ButIhadtohaveahealthylife.Andthiswasn'tinanywayhealthy.
Icriedevenharderandgotbacktomychocolate.Ididn'tevenrealizeituntilmyalarmwentoff,announcingitwas4:30already.
Crap!Thecabwouldbeherein,like,well,NOW!
Ihurriedandgrabbedapairoffadedjeansandaredsweatshirt.ItwasuselesstodoanythingtomyhairnowsoIjustmadeitadecentponytail.
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Irandownstairsandgrabbedmypurse,whichIquicklysnatchedmycellphoneandmoneyin.
"Mom!I'mgoingnow!"Iyelled,hurrying.
"Humph.ShegetstogoouttodayandIdon't!"Alwhined.Suchababy!Ican'tbelievehe'sonlytwoyearsyoungerthanIam.
Ifoundthecabwaiting.
"Ms.Anderson?"heaskedprofessionally.
"Yes."
Islidinthebackseatandtookaminutetocollectmybreath.IwasabouttenminuteslatewhenIfinallygottothemall.
"Thankyou,"IwhisperedasIhandedhimthecharge,alreadycomingoutofthecab.
Ienteredthemallandscannedtheentranceforthem,untilIfoundthemthere;Nessie,Stacey,Brad,MattandJacob.
"Hey,guys!"Isaid,forcingasmile;Iwasinaterriblemood.
"Hey,"theyallrepliedinunison.
"So,whatdoyouwanttodo?"Iasked.
"IthoughtmaybeseethelatestbagcollectionatGuessthen-"theguysgroaned-"What?We'llgotoStarbucksafterward!"Staceysaid.Inodded;Idefinitelyneededshopping.
ThenIheardsomeoneelse.
"We'rehere!"Aguysaid,lookingatJacob.Iassumedhewasoneofhisfriends.
Buttherewasanotheronerightafterhim.
Hewastanandverymuscular,hisperfectbrownhairwasinsmoothspikes,bringingouthisbeautifuldarkbrowneyes.
Hewaswearingablackshirtonlow-waistjeans.Ihadtocollectmybreathsforthesecondtimetoday.
Thewayhestaredatme,hiseyesfullofwhat?Love?
I'vebeenimaginingthings;afterall,Iwasonchocolate,milkychocolate.
Iwalkedabsentmindedlywiththeguys,well,nexttoMatt,theonlysingleguy.
Iwasthinkingaboutthismysteriousguy,orratherman,helookedlikehewasatleast20.
IfeltmyheartpoundinmychestwithafeelingthatIhadlostaverylongtimeago,onlythatitwasmuchstrongerthanthelasttimeIexperiencedit.
Ilikedhim.
Oh,Mary,Mary,Mary.Itwasthechocolatetalkingthere.IknewIshouldn'thave!
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Icouldfeelhisstaresburningholesinmyback.Naw.IshouldprobablygotoDr.Brooke,Stacey'sfather,toseeifIhadanypermanentbraindamagebecauseofthatdoseofchocolate.Whoknows?
IenteredGuessandstartedscanningbagsandshoeswithmyeyes.Ineededsomeshopping,butallIcouldaffordatthemomentwasonlyonebag,soIpickedupthepurpleone,thoughIhavenothingpurpleinmywardrobe.
WhenIgotoutIheardonevoicethatmademykneessoweakthatIthoughtIwasgoingtofall.
"MayIcarrythisforyou?"theMysteryManasked.Iblinkedandfeltmyfacegothotter.Ilovedthosedelusionsanyways.Ihandedmybagtohim."I'mEmbry,andyouare?"hespoke.Ittookmeamomenttobeabletoformanaudibleresponse.
"Mary,"ImanagedtowhisperthatIthoughthewouldn'thearit.Iwassurprisedthathedid.
Hesmiled,showingthosesuper-cutedimpleshehad.Ittotallycontrastedwithhismanlylookbutitstilllookedadorableonhim.
STOPIT,MARYGRACEANDERSON!YOU'RENOTDOINGTHISMISTAKEAGAIN!YOU'RENOTFA
LLINGFORANYONE!
Isighedmentally;Ididn'twanttogethurtagain.Onceiswaymorethanenough.
"So,Mary-"OhmyGod,thewayhesaidmynamemade-FOCUS,GIRL!-"Whatdoyouwanttoorder?"Oh,Ididn'tnoticewewereatStarbucksalready.
"Chocolate,"Isaidautomatically,reluctantlybreakingeye-contactwithhim.DidIjustsaychocolate?Again?WhatamIdoingtomyself?"Imean,chocolatemilkshake,"Iquicklycorrected,stillnotlookingathim;Ididn'twanttomakesomethingorfeelsomethingIwouldregretlater.
Ihatemorethananythingnow,Max!Ihateyoufordoingthistome!Ihateyouforbreakingmethatmuch!
Ifelttearsforminginmyeyesand,beinginopen-air,somedustenteredmyeyesthatIhadtoblink,forcingmytearsdownmycheek.Ugh.
Embryseemedalarmed,heimmediatelytookmyfaceintohishandsandlookedintomyeyes.
"What'swrong?"heaskedquicklythenrealizedthathishandwasonmyface,sohedroppeditimmediately,cursingunderhisbreath.
NO!
Insomeweirdway,Iwantedhissuper-warmhandtostayonmyface.Iwantedhisvoicetosootheme.Iwantedtohughimandleteverythingout.
Hell,Idon'tevenknowhislastname.
"Canwetakeawalkorsomething?"Isuggested,whispering;ifI'mdoingthisIwasgoingtoneedtobealone.Henoddedandturnedtohisotherfriend.
"Seth,I'mgoingtotakeMaryandwalk,"heinformedhim,helookedathimquest
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NO!
Oh,great.NowIwastalkingtomyself.
IsuddenlyaskedaquestionthatIhadinmeforawhile,almostwithoutthinking.
"Whydoyouactlikethistowardsme?Imean,youjustmetmenotawhileagoandyoualreadyactlike-"hecutmeoffwithalaugh,almostbitter.
"Ilikeyou,"hesaid,butIsensedthattherewasalotthathedidn'ttellme.Isighed;Iwasdoingthisagain.Itwasalmostlikehecouldreadmymind-ormyexpressionsjustgaveouttoomuchbecausehetookmyfaceinhismassivehandforthesecondtimetodayandwhispered,"Iwouldneverhurtyou,ifthat'swhatyou'reworriedabout."IwasabouttoprotestthenIclosedmyselfandfrowned,knowingthatthatwasexactlywhatIwasworriedabout.
"Thanks,"Iwhisperedback.
Then,Sethnudgedhisarm.
"Comeon,man!Aren'twegoingtoleave?"heasked,winkingathim.Heletgoofmyfaceandstoodup.
"Yeah,sure.We'regoingtoLaPushnow,right,Nessie?"hesaidasIbegantotakemypurseandsearchedformybag."No,I'mtakingthat,"hewhisperedinmyear.Ismiledandblushedagain.
EmbryjoinedJacobandSethandIjuststaredathim,mybrainincapableofcomprehendingthewholeday,andIcouldn'tblameitonchocolateanymore.
"EarthtoMary!"Nessiesaid.Iblushedandchuckled.
"What?Ilikehim!"Itriedtosoundasnormalaspossiblewhenwhisperingthistoher.
"Sureyoudo,"shemumbled,"Whatdidhetellyouwe'redoingatLaPush?"shea
sked,almostsuspiciously.Weird.
"Hesaidthathehadtoshowmesomethingreallycoolandthathelikesme,(HeLikesMe)"Isaid,sofastthatIwasn'tsureshe'dbeabletoknowwhatIwassaying.
"Great!"shesaid.Shesoundedgenuinelyhappyforme.
""ButI-I...well,dunnohowtodescribeit.Imorethanlikehim.It'screepy,consideringthatIfirstmethimacoupleofhoursago."Nesswasoneofmyveryclosefriends,maybeshe'dtellmesomething.
"No,it'snot.Really."Huh?Hmm
WewentintoNessie'sblackFerrariandJacobdrove,Isatontheside,Embrywasinthemiddle.
Icouldfeelhisheatradiatingthroughme.Ilovedthatfeeling.
"Ilikeyoursweatshirt,"hecommented.Wow,Ihaven'tnoticedthatbefore.
I'dneverthoughtanyonewouldlikemeinmypony-tail-and-sweatshirt-no-make-upstate.Imustlookhorrible.Isuddenlyfeltself-conscious.
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"UmmUh,yeah.It'smyfavorite."Now.Hesmiled.
"Redisdefinitelyyourcolor,"hewhispered,"Itgoeswithyourhair"hemumbled.Iblushed,again,andsmiled.
"Thanks.Youlookgreatyourself,"Icommented.DidIjustsaywhatIthinkIjustsaid?
OhmyGod.
Oh,well,itwasaweirddayanyway.
Hisdarkskindarkenedevenmore.Wasthatablush?
Aw!
Afterchattingrandomlywithhimforalongtime,Jacobspoke.
"Hereweare."
Wegotoutofthecar,whichwasnowparkedinfrontofasmallredhouse,andbeganwalkingtowardstheforest.Thiswasgettingweirderthanever.
"I'llgocheckonAmy,"Sethsaidandleftus.Ibeganfeelingcold,scared.
"Okay,Mary.BeforeIshowyouanythingIjustneedyoutostaycalm.Don'tbescared.There'sreallynothingtobescaredof,"Embrytoldmeashecamecloser.Ididn'tknowwhetherIwasgettingwarmerbecauseofthesenseofsecurityIfeltaroundhimorbecauseofhisfreakishtemperature.Inodded.
"Okay."Itsoundedmorelikeaquestion.
Hegotawayfromme,onlyafewfeetthough.Thelookonhisfacesuggestedthathewasconcentratingreallyhardonsomething.Hestartedshakinggraduallyuntil,inablinkofaneye,hewasgone,agiantgraywolfwithcuteblackspotsonhisbackreplacedhim.
Wasthathim?Embry?
OhmyGod.
AW-Werewolf?
IfelttheblooddrainfrommyfaceasIstaredathim.
"E-Embry?"Istuttered.Hehowled.Itwasgettinghardertobreathe.Thiswasn'treal.NO,itcouldn'tbereal.
Werewolvesdon'texist.
Thiswholedayisadream-Yes.
Exceptthatitwasn't.
"It'sokay,really.Hewon'thurtyou,"Nessiesaid,rubbingmybacksoothinglyasIfrozeinmyplace.
"Youknew?"Iaskedinawhisper,sherolledhereyes.
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"Sure;Jake'sawerewolf,too."T-ThisisjustOhmyGod.OhmyGod!
ItriedtocollectmybreathsbeforeIpassedoutand,surprisingly,Iwasabletocalmmyselfdown.
Heapproachedme,rathercautiously,andnudgedmewithhisnose.Ilaughednervously,Ididn'tknowhowitcameoutthoughandtouchedhisfurwithmyhand.Itwassosoft,sobeautiful.
God,Mary!You'retalkingaboutaguythatjustmorphedintoahorse-sizedwolfthing!
Afewminuteslater,anotherguy,wholookedlikehewasfromhere,too,cameinonlyhissweats,carryinganotherpairoftheminhishand.
"You'restupid,youknowthat,Embry?Yougotmerunningtoyourhousejusttogetyouthose!"hecomplained.Thenhenoticedme."Oh,hi"hesaid,"Soyou'reEmbry'simprint?"Im-what?
"Huh?"Isaid.
"Sometimesyou'restupid,too,Quil.Hehasn'ttoldheranythingyet!"Jakesaidasthegraywolfranbehindthetreestophaseback.Whatmorewouldhetellmenow?Isthereanythingmorethanthis?
Waitasecond!
Whywasheshowingmethisinthefirstplace?
HecamebackinthepairofsweatsthatQuilgavehim.So,clothesdidn'tjustpopinandoutofexistence,didthey?Toobad;Ilikedtheshirt.Icouldn'ttakemyeyesoffhimashecamecloser,shirtless.Ihopedhewouldn'thearmyerraticheartbeat.
"So,nofullmoonsorsilverbullets?"Iasked.
"Nope,"heanswered.
Then,Jacob,QuilandEmbrywereexplainingalotofthingstome.Theysaidthatthosewereonlythe'basics'andthatIneededtoattendabonfirewhenthe'elders'explainmoreoftheirlegendstome.Embrystayedbymysidethewholetime.Ididn'tknowwhyIwasn'tscaredofhim,whyIdidn'tjustrunawayandscreammylungsout.Ifeltthetotalopposite;Itrustedhim,Ifeltsafearoundhim.
IwassureIwasgoingtogointoshocklater.
Onethingtheytoldmecaughtmyattentionthough.Theysaidheimprintedonme,whichmeans,andIquote,that"hewouldalwaysbethereformeandprotectmeasI'mthemostimportantthingtohim;thegravitythatattacheshimtoEarth."
Thewhat?
He'sWHAT?
I'm.WhattheHell?
Hewasmyprotector.Myguardianangel.
Thiswasjusttoomuch.
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Chapter2
Theykepttellingmeaboutthewolves,theirabilitiesandtheytoldmeeverythingaboutimprinting,Ithink.
Embrysighed,"Themainreasonwephaseinthefirstplaceiswhenvampiresare
near;ourmissionismainlyaboutkeepingthesafetyofthetribe."
Yeah,sure.
Wait,WHAT?
"V-Vampires?"Istutteredforthemillionthtimetoday.Hey!Ihadverygoodreasonstodoso.
"Yes."He,forsomereason,kepthisreplysimple,maybebecauseIwasshakingnow.
"Wouldyouliketogohomenow?It's10:30already...Ibetyourparentswouldbe
worried,"Jakesaid,"Nessie?"hecalledafterward,asifsuddenlyrealizingshewasn'tstandingwithus.
Yeah,IjusthopeDadwouldn'tcallthepoliceorsomething.
JacobwenttoNessie,whowassittingonthegrass,probablytired,whileQuilexcusedhimselftogohome.
"Please,Mary,don'tbeafraid;Itoldyouthere'snothingtobeafraidof.Trustme,"healmostbegged,wrappinganarmaroundmyshoulder.
"Idotrustyou,maybethat'swhyIdidn'trun."Iletoutasmallsmile;Iwasrelaxingbitbybit.
Hechuckled,"Iwould'vecaughtyouanyways,"hewhisperedinmyear.Hewasrelaxing,too.
Yeah,right;superspeed,superstrength,superhearing.Ismiled;Ihadmyown-super-hero-protector.
IneverthoughtI'deverfeelthatcomfortablearoundanyone.Isthatsomethingtodowiththoselegendsandmagicandstuff?
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Itriedtotuneouteverythingthathadtodowiththesupernaturalfornow;Iwassavingthewholeshockforlater.HewasjustaguythatIreallylike(thoughthatworddidn'tcoverit,butIdidn'twanttofeelsoweird)andhelikedmeaswell.ThoughIdidn'tknowwherewewere.Friends?Maybemore?Howdoesthatwork?
"Yeah,"Iwhispered,movingtowhereNessiewas."Howlonghaveyouknownaboutthat?"Iaskedcuriously.
"Sixyears,"sheanswered.
"Wow."Wasmysmartreply.
"Yeah,Iknow."
"Aren'tyouafraidofthosevampires?Ineverthoughtthatworldevenexisted,"Icommented.IheardEmbryandJacobcough,probablyhidingtheirlaughs.Hey!It'snotmyfaultIdidn'tknowaboutthis!Theyactlikeit'snothing,likevampiresarejustnormal.Buttheyaren't.
Thewolves'missionistoprotectpeoplefromblood-suckingvampires.Becausethey'renotnormal.They'redangerous.
ThatwasABCmythicalcreatures.
"Ummm...Look,Mary,thisissomethingIthinkwe'dhavetotalktoyouaboutlater,"shesaid.
"We?"
"Later,Mary,"shesaidwithfinality,Ijustnodded.
Wewho?Maybethe'Pack'orotherimprints?Idon'tknow
IslidforthesecondtimeinthebackseatoftheFerrariatthesametimeEmbrydidandtoldJacobwheremyhousewas.Hesmiled,erasingeveryreasonIwasafraid.Rightnow,Iwasn'tafraidofvampiresorevenheartbreak.
Itrustedhim.
Helookedatmeandsmiled,comingclosertome.Iapproachedhim,too;gettingclosertohimonlymademefeelbetter,andwrappedmyarmsaroundhim.Ihopedhewouldn'tmind.
Hedidn't;hewrappedhisarmaroundme,tooandkissedthetopofmyhead.Myheartlostitstrackashedidthat.GodwasIfallingforhim!
"Takecareofyourselfforme,"hewhispered.Ismiledandnodded.
"Thisisit?"Jacobasked,slowingdown.
"Yep;theAndersonresidence,"Ianswered,"IguessI'llseeyoulater?"IspoketoEmbry,hopefillingmyvoice.
"Rightafterschool.Promise,"hereplied.Ichuckled,stillnotbelievingwhathadhappenedtonight.
"'Kaythen,byeeveryone!"Isaid,"Seeyou,Embry."Verysoon,please.
Igotoutofthecarandwalkedtowardsthehouse.Iknockedquicklyandprayed
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theywouldbeawake;itwas11pm.Uh-oh;Iwasgoingtohavealongnight.
Allenopenedthedoor.
"Well,well,Mary.Whatbringsyouheresoearly?"heaskedsarcastically,Istuckmytongueoutathim.
"Gosleep,squirt;youhaveschooltomorrow,"Imuttered.Hesmirkedandletmein.
"Wherehaveyoubeen?"William,myfather,asked.Iflinchedathistone.
"ItoldyouguysI'dbeoutwithmyfriendstoday,"Imumbled.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest.
"IwasjustonthephonewithDr.BrookeandStaceyhadbeenhomealmost3hoursago!"hewasyellingnow.
"IwaswithNessie,"Iwhispered,loweringmyhead.Hesighed.
"Nessiewho?"heasked,calmer.
"RenesmeeCullen,Dr.Cullen'sdaughter."Ilookedupathimtofindhimsighingagain.
"Okay.Butnexttime,remembertorechargeyourcellphonewhenyougooutalone;alotcanhappeninPortAngeles.Iknowthatmorethananyone."Ofcourse,hewasapoliceofficer.Inoddedandgotuptomyroom.
IthrewmypurseandbagonthefloorandchangedquicklyintomypajamasbeforeIdriftedtosleep.
Mynightwasn'taspeaceful;nightmaresthathaddisappearedlongtimeagowerecomingbackexcepttheyweredifferent;insteadofcallingafterMaxandhekeptrunningaway,Iwasrunningawayfromhim.
Iwokeupearlythatday,at5am.Iquicklytookashowerandchangedintoaden
imskirtthatwenttomykneesandaredtopthathadblackwritingsonit.IknewEmbrywasseeingmeafterschoolandIcouldn'thelpbutfeellikeIneededtodothat.
Igrabbedmyeye-linerandapplieditontheinsideofmyeyelidandappliedmyChanelmascara.Ihadtoturnitupside-downfortenminutestogetanythingoutofit;I'dgotitatmylastbirthday,andthatwaslastJanuary.Iputonlightpinklip-glossandkeptitinmybag;maybeI'dneeditlater,afterlunch.
Oh!Lunch!
IhadtheYearbookcommitteemeetingatLunch!
Itwasstillearly;6:30.IhadhalfanhourbeforeIstartedwalkingtoschool.SoIgrabbedmyiPodandstartedlisteningtomusic.Ideletedthe'safelist';Iwouldn'tneeditanymore.IwasofficiallyoverMaxfreakin'Watson.
IgotdownstairstoMom.
"Goodmorning,sweetie."Shesmiledatme.Ismiledback.
"Morning,Mom.Sleptwell?"Iasked,chewingabreadstick.
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"Yeah.Whataboutyou?"sheasked,fightingasmile.Whatwasthatabout?
"Whatisit,Mom?"I'dalwaysbeenstraightwithMom.Shelookedattheceilingbeforeshespoke.
"Whodroveyouherelastnight?Isawthecarfromupstairs,youknow,"shewhispered.Ismiled.
"ItwasNessie'scar,herboyfriendwasdriving."Shecouldn'thaveseenEmbryinthebackseat;thewindowsweredark.
"Oh."Wasallshesaid.Iglancedatmycellphone'sclockandfounditwas7am.Finally.Igrabbedmybookbagandstormedoutside.
"Loveyou!"Icalledandstartedwalking.
Iwasactuallyproudofmyself;Ididn'tgetscared,Ididn'tpassout,andIdidn'tgetintrouble.Plus,IwasseeingEmbrytoday.Thethoughtofhisnamesentbutterfliesinmystomach.
Maxwashistory.Icouldn'twaittogotoschoolandtalktoStaceyabouteverything.Well,noteverything;theytoldmeIcouldn'ttellaboutthevampiresorthewolves.
Igottoschoolat7:45.Alwaystheperfecttiming.Ismiledatmyself.IwasdefinitelyinabettermoodthanI'dbeeninabout18months.Wow;it'sbeenthatmuch?
"Hey,M!"StaceysaidfromBrad'scarasshegotout."How'veyoubeen?"
"I'mmorethangreat!"Isaid,grinning.Sheshouldgetthehint.Shesmiled.
"Hey,Brad?"
"Yes,Stacey?"
"IhavetotalktoMary,so,I'llseeyoulater,honey,'Kay?"shekissedhisch
eekandhenodded,wavingatme.IwavedbackandpaidattentiontoStacey,whosegrinwasfromear-to-earnow.
"What'sgoingon?"sheasked.
"YouknowthatguyIwastalkingtoyesterday?Embry?"Iasked.
"YeahWhatabouthim?"She'dneverexpectmetosaywhatIwasabouttosay.
"Ikindalovehim"Imumbled.Hereyeswidened.
"MissI-didn't-get-over-Maxsaywhat?"sheasked,raisinganeyebrow.
"Okay,translation:I'msototallyoverWatsonandIthinkI'mfallingforEmbry!"Iwhisper-yelled.Shehuggedme.
"Goodforyou,sweetie.Justbecareful,"shewhispered.Inodded."Areyougoingtoseehimagainsoon?"shesuddenlyaskedassheletmego.
"Yeah;hesaidhe'dbehereafterschool."Shenodded.
FirstclasswasEnglishwithMatt.Imethimthere.
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"Mornin',M!"Wehigh-fived.
"MorningMatt!"IsaidasIthrewmybookonthedesk.
"YouhavenextclasswithStacey,right?"heasked.Inodded,frowning.
"Why?"
"JusttellhertotellBradthatthewholefootballteamistakingLunchandthefourthperiodtotrain;wehaveagameagainstForksHighafterschool,"hesaid,playingwithhispen.ForksHighMyformerschool.
"Sure,I'lltellher."IsatdownandpreparedmyselfforanotherboringGrammarrevision.
AfterEnglish,ChemistryandGeometry,Irushedtomylockerandputmybooks,grabbingmynotebooktoattendthecommittee'smeeting.
"Hey,"IsaidasIgotintotheroom.
"Hello,Mary.Haveaseat."IrolledmyeyesatMrs.Cox'sformaltoneandsatdown.
Aftersettingourtasksstraight,weweredismissed.Iwassupposedtodesignth
ecover.Mrs.Coxrealizedthenthatwealreadymissedthefourthperiodandhalfofthefifth;theboyswerekiddingalot.Anyways,wewereexcusedfromschooltoday.
Oh,great;nowIhadtowaitforhalfanhourbeforeEmbrycomes.Butterfliesareback!
Hewastotallyworththewait.SoIgotoutandsatonthestairsinfrontofthemainbuilding,facingtheparkinglot.IgotoutmyChemistrybookandstartedstudyingalittletokillthetime;ChemistrywastheonlysubjectIhadtroublewith.
IwasrevisingthePeriodicTableforthethirdtimewhensomeonenudgedmyshou
lder.Ismiledandlookeduptoseewhoitwas,expectingEmbry.
Exceptthathewasn't.
ThesmilefadedfrommyfaceandIfeltalumpinmythroatasIsawthecreamy-skinnedboywiththefamiliarlightbrownhairandgreeneyessmirkatme.
"Max,"Iwhispered,acknowledginghim.Hesatdownbesideme,soclosethatIstooduptoavoidphysicalcontactwithhim.
"Hey,Mary,"hesaid,standingup,too.
Myhandwastrembling.Yes,IgotoverhimbutIhaven'tseenhiminalotofti
me.Iwasnervous.
"Didn'tItellyoutostayawayfromme?"Isnapped,tryingtocalmmyselfdown;beinghypotensivedidn'treallyhelpmysituation;Iwasstartingtogetdizzy.
"Oh,Mary,don'tbelikethat,"hewhispered,approaching.Itookastepback,clutchingtomybookasifforsupport.
"ItoldyouI'mnottheMaryyouusedtoknow.Please,Max.Leavemealone.Whyareyouhereinthefirstplace?Didn'tyoudecidetokickmeoutofyourlife?
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What.Do.You.Want?Didyourcheerleadergirlfrienddumpyou?"Irushedthroughthewords,annoyed.
"Iwantyouback,Mary,"hesaid.
"AndIdon'twantto.So,stayawayfromme!Stopfollowingmeifthat'swhatyou'redoing!"Iwhisper-yelled;Icouldn'traisemyvoiceanyharder.
"I'mnotfollowingyou!"Heyelled,"Wehaveagamewithyourschool'sfootballteam!That'swhyI'mhere!Wewerebestfriendsandthenyouswitchedschools!"heyelled.Iflinched.
"That'safteryoustartedignoringme!Icouldn'ttakeitanymore!Weallhadtomovebecauseofwhatyouhaddonetome!"Iaccused,tearsforminginmyeyes.
"I'msorry,okay?I'mjustsorry!I'vemissedyou!"Hesaid,approachingandrubbingthebackofhisneck.
"Sorry?Isthatthebestyoucouldcomeoutwith?Ayearandahalf,Max,18freakingmonths,notaphonecallorevenaHi,andyou'resorry?"Iwascryingnow,mybacktothewall.Hewascloserthannecessary.
"Hey!"Mattyelledfrombehind,grippinghisshoulder."WhattheHellisgoingon?"heasked,eyingmytear-soakedface.
"It'snoneofyourbusiness!"hespat,annoyed.Ifeltblooddrainfrommyfaceandmykneesweren'tsupportingmeanymore.
"Yes,itis!Whathaveyoudonetoher?"heasked.
"Ididnothing!"hedefendedhimself.Peoplewerestartingtogatheraroundus.Myvisionwasstartingtogetblurry.Damnblood-pressureissues!
"Mary?Mary?Areyouokay?"IheardStaceycall.Inoddedweakly.
"Mary?"Iheardanothervoicecall.TheonlyvoiceIreallyneededatthemoment.
Embry.
Iscannedthecrowdwithmyeyestofindhimpushingthroughthestudents.HesupportedmyweightasIfeltmyselfgiveinslowly.
"Edward?"hecalled.Edward?
Ifeltacoldhandonmywrist,contrastingwithEmbry'ssuper-hotarmsthatheldme.
"She's-"ThatwaswhenIlostitcompletely;Idriftedtopeacefulunconsciousness.
ItfeltlikealotoftimehadpassedwhenIstartedhearingsomevoices
"Comeon;you'vegotmewaitingforlong,"Embry'ssoftvoicesaid.Ismiledandopenedmyeyesslowly.
"Hey,"Iwhisperedandstartedtoseemysurroundings.Iwasinthenurse'soffice.Isawhimgrin.
"Hey.Areyoubetternow?"heasked,holdingmyhand.Itfeltsogoodrightther
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e.
"Yeah;I'mfine.Iwasjust-"Ishruggedandsighed,"It'snobigdeal.Ihatebeingsoweak,"Imumbled,mostlytomyself.Hesqueezedmyhandmore.
"That'swhyI'mhere.I'msorry;Ishould'vegotearlierbutIgotlost,"heapologized.
"It'snotyourfault,Embry!I'mreallyfine!"Igotupandhoppedonmylegs."See?"hechuckled.
"I'mgladyouare."Thatwaswhenthedoorslammedopen.
"Areyoualright,sweetie?Whathappened?"Momasked.
"Nothing,Mom.I'mreallyfineandIreallydon'twanttotalkaboutitnow.Please?"Ibegged.Shesighedandnodded.ThenshesawEmbry.
"I'llwaitinthecar.Grabyourstuffandcome.Ihavemyworktogobackto,"shesaid.IlookedupatEmbrywithpleadingeyes;Ididn'twanttogohomejustyet.
"OrIcoulddriveherhome,Mrs.Andersonsoyouwouldn'tbelate.Isthatokay?"heoffered.Shelookedatbothofusandsmiled.
"Sure.Behomebefore4!"shesaidassheexitedtheroom.Isearchedformybookbagaroundmebutdidn'tfindit.
"Whereis-"hecutmeoff.
"This?"heasked,flippingthebagasifitwasafeather.Anditwasprettyheavy.
Ismiledathim.
"Yeah."
WegotoutoftheroomtofindBrad,StaceyandMattwaitingforus.Staceyrushedtomewhenshesawme.
"I'msosorry,honey.However-"shesmiledproudly,"Iyelledathimandtoldhimtoleaveyoualoneandnotcomeanywherenearhere!"shecameclosertome,"beforeEmbrykillshim.Boywashemad!"herlipstwitchedintoaknowingsmile.Ilookedather,horrified.
"Theyfought?"Iwhispered.Shenodded.
"Buthewasmoreconcernedaboutyousoheleftme,MattandBradshoutingathimandtookyoutothenursewhojustleftbecauseshesaidthatyou'regoingtobeokayandthatsheneededtogohome."Sherolledhereyes.Isighed.
"Thanks."
"Thisjerk!"Mattmutteredashehuggedme,"Icouldn'tbelievehehadthenerve!"Ichuckled.
"Guys!Really!I'mmorethanfine!"Staceywinked,"AndIhavetogonow,so"Imumbled.
"Takecare!"BradyelledfrombehindasIbeganrunningtowardstheparkinglot.
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Embrywaswaitinginfrontofhismotorcycle.Cool.
"Comeon!Iwanttotakeyousomewherebeforewegotoyourhouse!"hesaid.Ismiled.
"Whereto?"Mymoodgetsbetteraroundhim.RuleNumberOne.
"IwanttoshowyouFirstBeach.It's2:30nowso,ifwegotherefastenough,we'llbeabletobeatyourhouseat4exactly.Justaquickvisit."Hiscutedimpleswereshowingashegrinned.
"Sure."ThenIeyedthemotorcyclethenlookeddownatmyskirt."Err-howamIgoingtoride?"Iasked.Hechuckled.
"Come,"heliftedmeupeasilyasifIweighed2poundsandsatmeinfrontofhiminthemotorcycle,Iwasfacingtherightside.
"Andhowwillyoudrive?"Iasked,raisinganeyebrow.Hesmiledevenwider.
"Likethis,"hesaid,stretchinghislongarmsthatreachedthecontrollersperfectly.Icouldfeelhisheat.Myheartwaspoundingveryhardlyinmychest.
Hestartedtheengineandthemotorcyclevibrated.Iheldhisshirtforsupport.
"Shallwe?"heasked,amused.Inoddedeagerly.
IcouldfeelthewindflowthrewmyhairandIautomaticallyleanedonhischest,relaxing.Ididn'tfeelthetimepassuntilhetoldmewewereatLaPushalready.
"So?"hesaid.Iwatchedtheextraordinarilybeautifulwavesflowedonthesoft-lookingsand,leavingcutewhitetracesthere.
"It'sbeautiful,Embry,"Isaid,"Wow."Hesmiled.
"You'remorebeautiful.Iloveyou,Mary,"hewhisperedinmyhair.Ifroze.
DidhejustsaywhatIthoughthejustsaid?
Helovesme.
OhmyGOD.
Toomuchinfofortwodays.
"Iloveyou,too,"Iwhisperedautomatically,meaningeverysinglewordofit.Ididn'tknowIhaditinme.
IknewitwascrazyandprobablystupidbutIcouldn'tdenymyselfthat.
Ireallydidlovehim.
Icouldseehiseyeslightupashetookmyfaceinhismassivehandsandleanedcloser.Now,myheartwasn'tjustpounding,itwasprotesting,yelling,tellingmeitwastoomuch.
Ibroughtmyfaceuptohisashekissedme.
Ididn'tknowwhattodo;I'dneverkissedanyonebefore.So,IjustdidwhatIthoughtwasright.
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Ikissedhimback,Ithink.Hepulledaway,smilingatmeandhuggedme.
"Idon'tknowyourlastname,bytheway,"Icommentedafteramomentofcomfortablesilence.Hechuckled.
"Call.MynameisEmbryStephenCall,"hesaid,"AndIdon'tknowyourmiddlename."
"I'mMaryGraceAnderson,"Istated.
"Lovely,"hewhisperedinmyearandIsmiled,ridingbackonthemotorcyclethathehadalreadystarted.
"Hey,Embry."
"Yeah?"heanswered.
"WereyoureallygoingtokillMaxtoday?"Iwhispered.Ididn'tliketheideaofhimfightingforme.Hetensed.
"Hehurtyou,"hereasoned,"Icouldn'tjuststaytheredoingnothing.ButIcouldn'tleaveyou;Edwardsaidyourpressurewassolowthatitwasn'tnormal."Histonewashurt.IfelttheneedtocomforthimsoIleanedonhischest.
"It'sokay.I'mfine.Butyouhavetopromisemeonething,"Istated.
"Yes?"hesaid,waitingformetospeak.
"Pleasedon'tfightforme.IknowabouttheimprintingthingandallbutI'mnotreallyworthit.Itwasn'tthatbigofadealanyways."Heraisedhiseyebrow."Okay,okay.Itwasabigdealthenbutitwasn'tworthit.Please?"Ibegged.
"I'msorry."
"What?"
"I'msorry,Mary,butIcan'tpromiseyouthat."Ihadtoadmitit,Ilovedbeingtakencareoflikethat.
"Okay,Embry,"Isaid,tryingtosoundmadbutfailedmiserably.
"Iknowyou'renotmad,"hesaidmatter-of-factly.Ichuckled.
"IdiscoveredthatI'mnotgoodatgettingmadatyou."Hegrinned.
"So,doyouwanttogooutsometime?"heasked.HowcouldIrefuse?
"Sure.When?"
"Tomorrow,Iguess.Youknowwhat,I'lltellyoutonight."Therewasgoingtobea'tonight'!
"Doyouhavemynumber?"Isuddenlyaskedasheparkedinfrontofmyhouse.
"No.I'lltakeitwhenIcometonight.You'regoingtostudy,right?"Inodded,frowning.
"DoyouthinkDadwouldallowyouin?"Iasked,"Imean,it'sgonnabeawkward."
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"Whydoeshehavetoknow?"heasked."I'llcometoyourroom."Ihalf-smiled,notsureifI'dhavethenervetodothat."OrwecouldsaythatI'llstudywithyou,okay?"heasked,changinghismindimmediately.
"Sure,it'dbegreat,"Iwhispered,kissinghistancheek.
HewasabouttokissmeagainwhenIheardAl'svoicecall.
"Hey,Mary!"Ugh.Whatarelittlebrothersforagain?
Chapter3
Embrychuckledandkissedmycheek,smirkingatAllen,wholookedratheracombinationofconfusedanddisgusted.
"I'llcomebyat7,okay?"heasked,strokingmycheekwithhiswarmhand.Ismiled.
"Sure.Seeyou!"Iwavedathim,goingtowhereAlwasstanding,infrontofthedoor.
"Idon'tlikehim,"Alcommentedasweenteredthehouse.Irolledmyeyesathim.
"You'renotsupposedto,"Isimplyreplied.Throwingmybagonthefloorandheadingtothelivingroom.
"Whatever,Mary.Justmakesurewedon'thavetomove,again."Ouch;thathurt.
Ijustignoredhimandgotuptomyroom,changingintoapairofloose-fittingjeansandawhitet-shirt.
IdecidedtosleepalittlebeforeMomandDadcamehomesoI'dhavesomeenergytostudy.Then,beforeIevengottograbthecovers,mystomachgrowled.Igroaned;Ihadn'teatenanythingatallbutthebreadstickthismorning.Thatdefinitelyhelpedthepassingoutthing.
AsIatesomeyoghurt,thephonerang.Allenwouldn'tbothertomovefrominfrontoftheTVanywayssoIwenttoanswer.
"Hello?"Ianswered.
"Hey,M!How'reyounow?"Staceyasked.
"I'mfine,Stacey.How'severythinggoingwithya?"Iasked,playingwithmycupofyoghurt.
"Goodgood.How'sEmbry?"sheasked,hertoneplayful.IsmiledthennoticedthatMomwasunlockingthedoor.
"Uh-Later.Ihavetogonow."Pleasegetthehint.
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"Oh,Ameliaoryourdad?"sheasked.
"First."
"Okay,then.I'lltalktoyoulater."Shehungup.Iputthephonedown.
"Hey,"Mombreathedasshekissedmycheek.
"Hey,Mom."
"Ineedtotalktoyou,"shewhispered,gettingtoherroom.Ifollowedher,myheartracing;Iknewwhatthiswasabout.
"Yes,Mom?"Isaid,tryingtosoundcalm.Shesatontheedgeofherbedandsmiledatme.
"Youtellme,"shesaid.Iblushedandlookedattheground.
"AboutEmbry,Isuppose."Awkwardnesswascreepingthere.
"Sothat'shisname?"sheasked.Icouldtellshewasfightingasmile.
"Yeah."Awkward.Shesighed.
"Mary,I'mreallyhappyforyou."What?Ididn'ttellheranything
"Mom-"Itriedtoobjectbutshecutmeoff.
"Iknowthere'ssomethinggoingonbetweenyoutwo.I'mnotthatstupid;Isawitinbothyoureyes."Itwasmyturntosigh.
"Okay,Mom.Sowhat?"Iasked,shrugging.
"Sowhat?Doyourememberwhathappenedlasttime?"Noonewouldletmeforgetthat!Noone!
Flashback
Icalledhimseveraltimes.Noanswer.Isighed;whywasheignoringme?Washeevenignoringme?Maybehe'djustforgottenhisphonesomewhereorhe'sbusy.
So,tobesure,IborrowedMom'sphoneanddialedhisnumbers.Heansweredaftertworings.
"Hello?"
"Max!"
"Whoisit?"
"It'sMary,Max.What's-"ThatwaswhenIheardthefamiliarbeep.Heendedthecall.
Ifellonmybed,unabletocomprehendwhatIhadjustdiscovered.
Hewasavoidingme.
Ireplayedeverysinglemomentinthepasttwoweeks.Icouldn'tfindonethingthatI'dmadethatcouldhavemadehimmad.Iknowhimtoowell.
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AllIcouldrememberwashowIcalledafterhimandhedidn'tfaze,howhejust,overthenight,kickedmeoutofhislife.
He..He
OhmyGod.
Ibrokeintotears,rockingmyselfasiftryingtocalmdown.IheardknocksonthedoorbutIdidn'tmove.Ididn'thaveitinmetorespond.Whywoulditmatter?Whywouldanythingmatteranymore?
IloveMax.Hechangedalotinme,Ibecameadifferentperson.Iusedtobeatomboy,acarelessgirl.Allshecouldthinkaboutwasonlyherschoolworkandbestfriends.Butheshowedup,andchangeditall.
Hetaughtmewhat'butterflies'are.Hetaughtmehowtolove.HewasthereasonIgotupeverymorningandwenttoschool.
NowIhavenothingtowakeupto.
Hedidn'tcare.
ButIdid.
Ilockedmyselfupinmyroom,lyingonthebed,untilDadbrokethedoorandfoundmelikethat.
IthoughthegotadoctororsomethingbutIcouldn'tbethatsure.Itdidn'tmatter.Nothingmattered.
"Wehavetomove,"IheardhimtellMom.Move,ummmIdon'tcare.
"Ifthat'sgoingtohelpherthenfine."
"ChiefSwanwasveryunderstanding;hemanagedtogetmeanotherjobinPortAngeles.Ifoundaschoolthere,too.Well,two;forAlandMary."
Move?Huh.Iwishitwouldhelp.Maybe
No.Iwouldnevergetoverhim.Ijustknowthat.
Endofstory.
EndFlashback
"Mom,please-"shecutmeoff.
"No,Mary.Youhavetolistentome!"shesaidsternly.
"Mom!Iknowwhatyou'regoingtotellmesojustsaveit!Embrywouldn'tdotha
ttome.Ijustknowthat,"Iwhisperedthelastpart,tearsalreadydownmycheek.
"Oh,honey.Ididn'tmeanitthatway.Just,bemorecareful.Don'ttrustjustanyoneeasily."IalreadytrusthimwithmylifeMom.
"Sure.Bytheway,he'scomingtostudywithmetonightat7,"Iinformedher,alreadycomingoutofthedoor.
"DoesWilliamhavetohavehisgunready?"sheaskedplayfully.
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"No,Mom!"Iyelledfrommyroom.
Ijumpedtomybedanddriftedtopeacefulsleep.Ifeltreallytired.
Ifeltsomeonegentlyshakemyshoulder,Ifrowned.
"Aloneminute,"Imumbledgroggily.Iheardachuckle.
"I'mEmbry."MyeyesshotopenandIfoundhimsittingonachairbesidemybed.Isatupimmediatelyandblushed;myhairmustlookhorriblenow.
IglancedaroundmetofindDadstandingatthedoor,hisarmscrossedoverhischest.Ifawkwardnesswasvisible,Iwould'vebeenblindedbyit.
"Um-IDad?"Istuttered.
"Yes?"heanswered,hisglarefocusedonEmbry.Isighed.
"We'regoingtostudy,so"Imumbled,trailingoff.WhydidtheytreatmelikeI'mincapableofdealingwithpeople?
"Okay,"hesaid,"Butthedoorremainsopen."Ichuckled.
"Sure,Dad."Istartedtogetup.Hewentdownstairs.IturnedtoEmbry,"Um-I'llberightback."IrantothebathroomandgroanedasIsawmyreflection;Ilookedterrible;myhairwasgoingeverywhereandtheeye-linermademyeyeslooklikepandas'.IshouldhaverememberedtowashmyfacebeforeIslept!
Iquicklygrabbedmymake-upremoverandstartedworkingonmyfaceandhair.
EmbryCall
Shelookedsobeautifuljustlayingthere,sleepingpeacefully.Evenwhenhersmoothhairwasflowingonthepillownexttoher.
Shelookedsotiredthough.Iwouldn'thavewakenherupofitwasn'tforherfa
therstandinginfrontofthedoor,glaringatme.Iwouldn'tblamehimthough.
SherantowhatIassumedwasthebathroom.Icouldn'tunderstandhowanyonewouldhurtthisangel.
MyhandsturnedintotightfistsandIletoutalowgrowl.ThisMaxdid.IwishedIcouldriphisheadoff.ButIcouldn't
Flashback
Ugh;Ihategettinglost.Jakewasveryspecificwiththedirections.Ichuckledatmysarcasticthought.
Oh,hereitis!
Ienteredtheparkinglotonmymotorcycle,scanningtheplacetofindher.
Mary.MyMary.Definitelymine.
Ifoundagroupofpeoplegatheringaroundtheentranceofthemainbuilding.Whatwasthatabout?Issheinthere?
Iparkedthemotorcycleandshutofftheengine,runningtowheretheywereall
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gathering.
"Mary?Mary?Areyouokay?"Iheardsomeoneask.Mary?WhatwaswrongwithMary?Isshehurt?
Ipushedthroughthecrowds,callinghername.
Shestoodthere,herfacewasmuchpalerthanusual,hersmallhandsweresweating,trembling.Shedidn'tlooklikeshecouldbestandingforlong.
Irushedtoherside,supportingherweight.IrememberedthenthatalltheCullenswenttoschoolhere,IevensawtheVolvointheparkinglot.
"Edward?"Icalled,prayinghewouldbethere.Hecameoutfrombetweenthecrowd,obviouslyhearingmycall.Heheldherwrist,measuringherheartbeat;itwould'velookedweirdifhecouldtellherbloodpressurewithouttouchingherwrist.
"She'sfaintingslowly,Embry;herbloodpressureislowerthananythingIwouldconsidernormal.Unlessshe'shypotensiveorsomething"hemumbled."I'llgogetthenurse."
HewentinsidethemainbuildingandIputMary'spassed-outbodyonthefloor,restingherheadcarefullyonthewall.
Ipaidattentiontomysurroundingsthen.IsawMary'sfriends;Matt,StaceyandBrad,Ithink.Theywereyellingataguy
"Isn'titenoughwhatyou'vemadehergothrough?ShewasjuststartingtogettheHelloverallofthisandyoujustdecidetoshowup?Whatareyou?Apieceofice?"Staceyyelled.
Sohedidthistoher.
Thesonofa-Matt'swordscutmythoughtsoff.
"GettheHellawayfromher,Max!Lookwhatyou'vedonetoher!"hepointedatM
ary,passed-out,herfacestillpale,hernow-whitelipswereshaking.
So,that'sMax?
Icouldn'tcontainmyragethen,mybodystartedshaking.ButIcouldn'tphasewithallthosepeoplearound.
"Soyou'retheonewhohaddonethistoher!"Ispat,pushinghim.
Hetriedtopushmebackbuthecould'vebeenpushingabrickwall.
"Andwhoareyoutoher?Thisisbetweenmeandher!It'snoneofanybodyelse'sbusiness!"heyelled,defendinghimself.
"Listen,youjerk,ifyouEVERandImeanEVERcomeanywherenearher,IsweartoGodI'llkillyouandI'llkillyourealslow!"Ifeltacoldhandonmyshoulderthen.Edward.
"Sheneedsyounow."Wasallhehadtowhispertogetmyattentionbacktoher.
EndFlashback
Shegotoutofthebathroom,herhairpulledupinacutemessyponytailandher
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facelookedmuchbetterthanthismorning.
"Hey,"shesaid,rubbingthebackofherneck."Talkaboutawkward,"shemumbled,Iguessedtoherself.
"Hey,honey."DidIjustsaythat?Smooth,Embry.Realsmooth!
Sheblushedandlookedaway.
"UmmIguessIshouldstudy."Hervoicewasbarelyawhisper.
Sheleaneddowntograbherbookfromherbagandthrewitonherdesk.Then,shejumpedonherblackchair,thenonherdeskandgotanotherbookandanotebookfromthebookshelfshehadupthere.Shelookeddownatthefloorandgulpedassheheldthebackofthechairforsupportandtriedtojumpbackatthechairbutitturnedaround.Irushedtoherandcaughtherbeforeshefellonthefloor.
Shegiggledandblushed,lookingawayagain.Ihelpedherbackonherfeet,reluctantlythough.
"Sorry,I-Idon'tusuallyfallfromthere,"sherushedthroughthewords.
"No,it'sokay.Itoldyouthat'swhyI'mhere,"Iwhispered.Shesmiled.
"Yeah,Mr.Bodyguard."Webothlaughed."Now,Ireallyhavetostudy.Look,I'llrevisethoseequations,"sheopenedthebookonsomenumbersandlettersthatIcouldn'tgetmyselftolookat;Ihatedschool,"AndifIcouldanswerthoseexercisesinthatbook-"shepointedatthebookshegotfromthebookshelf-"I'llbefreetonight!"shefinallyconcluded.
"Great,"Isaidandkissedhercheek,sheblushedagain,"I'llstaysilent."Andwatchyourbeautifulface.Shenoddedandgotimmediatelytowork.
Shelookedsocutewhensheconcentrated,wearinghereyeglassesandplayingabsentmindedlywithherpen.Poorpen;shebititwhenshedidn'tknowtheanswer.Hell,Iwasjealousofthatpen.
Ithinkwe'removingtoofast.Butthisisn'tjustagirlthatImetandliked.She'smyimprintMysoulmate.
"Yes!"Shesaid,alittletooloudly,snappingmeoutofmyreverie.
Hersmilejustmademesmilebackimmediately.
"Areyoudone?"Iwhispered,makingsureherfatherwouldn'thearus.Shenoddedandglancedatherwatch.
"MomandDadshouldbegonebynow;theygoouttogethereveryThursdaynightat8,"shesaid,smiling."So,weonlyhaveAllennow,whoIbetiswatchingTV."
Hersmilegotevenwider.Itooktheotherchairandsatbesideher.Icouldhearherheartbeatloseitstrack.
"Whatdoyouwanttodo?"Iasked.
"Umm-Uh-Idon'tknow.Doyouwanttohelpmewiththeyearbookcover?"sheasked.Sheworkedtoohard
"Sure.Whatareyougoingtodo?"TheonlythingIcouldreallyhelpherwithiscars.Hmmshedoesn'thaveone,doesshe?
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"Ihavetodesignthecover.Idon'tknowmuchaboutPhotoshopbutIguessI'lljusthavetofindout."ShesighedandgotoutaCDfromherbag,"Istillhavetoinstallit,youknow."
"Sure."
SheputtheCDinthecomputerandleanedbackonherchair.Ileanedcloserandkissedhercheekagain;Icouldnevergetenoughofher.Herbreathhitchedbutshegrinnedwidely.ShedidsomethingIdidn'treallyexpect,notlikeIdidn'tlikeit.Sheleanedcloseruntilourlipswereinchesapart.Then,sheshookherheadandblushed.ShewasabouttopullbackwhenIgrabbedhercreamyfacebetweenmyhandsandkissedher.
Itgotdeeper,morepassionate;herhandswereinmyhairandminewerealreadyonherwaist.
Icouldfeelmyselfbecarriedaway;myhandwasontheedgeofhershirt.Thatwaswhenshepulledaway,herfacetomatored.
"I-uh,umWow,"shestuttered.Shewassocutewhenshestuttered.
Ifeltembarrassedmyself;Ididn'twanttogetcarriedawaywithher.Afterall,Ihadonlyknownherforoneday.ItseemslikeI'dknownherforcenturiesal
ready.Butthiswasjustwrong.
"Yeah.SorryIgotcarriedaway."Shelookedattheground,blushingevenmore.Ittookheramomenttocollectherbreath.
"Uh-Noproblem.I-I-theprogramisinstalled."Shesmiled."Youknowwhat,thecovercanwait."Ilaughedlightly.
Weendeduponthebed,lookingatherpictureswhenshewasababy.Shehadalwaysbeensoexquisite.Herdarkbrowneyes-almostblackifIdidn'thavethesuper-vision-wasalwayssowideandbeautiful,likeanangelfromheaven.
Herphonerangthen.Shehoppedoutofthebedandgrabbedit,answeringthecal
l.
"Hello?"shesaidandpaused."Yes,Ihavehernumber.Why?"Anotherpause."Oh.Okay.I'llcallher."Onemorepause."Loveyou,too.Seeya."Shepressedtheendbutton.
"Whatisit?"Iaskedthenslappedmyselfmentally;shemustthinkI'mrudenow.Whoasksaboutthat?
"It'sStacey.ShewasjustaskingaboutNessie;apparently,shedidn'tgotoschooltoday."HmmWeird."I'llcallhernow,'Kay?"Wassheaskingforpermissionorsomething?Inoddedmyheadanyways.
"Hello,Mrs.Cullen,"shestarted,"Yes,I'mMary.IsNessieathome?"sheaskedandwaitedforasecond."Oh,okay.I'llcallherlater."Sheendedthecallwithafrownonherface."She'swithJacob,"sheexplainedthenshrugged,"goodthingsheisn'tsickoranything,right?"Isnorted.Sick.Yeah,right."What?"shewasconfused.
"Nothing.Wait,whattimeisitnow?"Isuddenlyasked.ItwasJacob'sturntopatroltonight.
"9:30.Why?"shesatnexttomeagain.
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"Jacobwassupposedtobeonpatrolnow."Shelookedevenmoreconfused,"Wolfthing,"Iexplained.Shenodded."Look,Ihavetogonow."Ihateyou,JacobBlack!
Herexpressionturnedalittlesad?
Ihateyoumorenow,Jacob,what'ssoimportantthatyouhavetoskippatrollingtobewithNessie?
Irubbedthebackofmyneck,"I'llseeyoutomorrow,Okay?I'llpickyouupafterschool.Loveyou."Irushedthroughthewords.Shenoddedandsmiledatmyrush.
"Okay,"shemumbled.IkissedherforeheadandwasabouttoexitwhenIrealizedIdidn'thavehernumber.
"Idon'thaveyournumber,"Icommented.Hereyeswidenedasifsherealizedthesamethingtoo.
"Hereitis,"shehandedmeapieceofpaperwithhernumberwrittenon,withhernamerightaboveit.LikeI'dneedthat;I'drememberitwasheranyways.
Iputitinthepocketofmyjeansandrushedout,leavingastunnedyoungbroth
eratthedoor.Dammit!Iwasrunningfullspeed.
Whatever.
MaryAnderson
Thiscouldn'thavebeenanymoreperfect.Well,itcouldhaveidhestayedlonger.But,whatever.
Iwasgettingmoreandmoreattachedtohimbythesecond.Ididn'tregretitthough;Itrustedhim.IfIcouldchoosesomethingnow,Iwouldchoosetolivemylifewithhim.
Crazy,Iknow.
Butthat'sjustme.
Igotbackonmycomputerandopenedtheprogramtostartworking.Icouldn'thelpbutrememberthelasttimeIsatthere,aboutanhourago.Wow.
Ispentanothertwohoursonthecomputerandfeltmyeyelidsbecomeheavy;Iwasmoretiredthaneverthatday.
IshutdownthecomputerafterIsavedmyworkandgotintotheshower,enjoyingthehotwateronmyskin.Ichangedintomypajamasandhoppedintobed,turningonmyiPod.
ThefirstsongwasAlwaysbyBonJovi.Isnorted;Iusedtolistentothatonelongtimeago.
NEXT!
IBelieveInAThingCalledLove.Wow;someofthelyricsjustfit.
"Can'texplainallthefeelingsthatyou'remakingmefeelMyheart'sinoverdriveandyou'rebehindthesteeringwheel."Ilaughedatthe
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hugesimilarity.Embrydidthattome.
Ikeptlistening;Ihadn'tlistenedtoitforsolong.
Ibelieveinathingcalledlove"
JustlistentotherhythmofmyheartThere'sachancewecouldmakeitnowWe'llberocking'tilthesungoesdownIbelieveinathingcalledloveOoh!Huh!"
IsmiledtomyselfasIdriftedtopeacefulsleep.
"Mary,sweetie,wakeup,"IheardDadsay,shakingmyshoulder.Iopenedmyeyesreluctantlyandyawned.
"Whattimeisit?"Iasked.
"It's4:30."Igroaned;itwastooearly."Ijustwanttotalktoyou."Ohh
"Dad,ifit'saboutEmbrythenIamcarefulandIwon'tgointoanythinglike'lasttime'.CanIsleepnow?"Ialmostbegged,re-closingmyeyes.Hesighed.
"Wheredoeshelive?"Hesuddenlyasked.
"LaPush."Iburiedmyfaceinthesoftpillow.
"What'shislastname?"
"Call."Igotupthenandturnedtofacehim,"What,Dad?Areyougoingtorunaninvestigationorsomething?"Iasked.
"Notexactly.Ijustneedtoknowyou'resafe,sweetie."Ismiledathim.
"Don'tworryaboutthat."Especiallythat.
"I'lltrynotto."Hechuckled."Areyouseeinghimagainsoon?"
"Yeah;he'llpickmeupafterschool."Igotbacktobed.
"Canyoucomeherefirst?Thetwoofyou,Imean?"Whatwasthatabout?
Isatupforthesecondtimeandlookedathimsuspiciously.
"What'sthatabout?"Iasked,narrowingmyeyes.
"Nothing;Ijustneedtomeetmydaughter'sboyfriendbeforehetakesherout.Anyobjections,younglady?"hesaid,usinghis'Dad'and'Officer'tonestogether.
"Yes,sir,"Imutteredsarcasticallyandmanagedtogetbacktosleepbeforehespokeaboutitanyfurther.
Igotupagainat6:30,soIhadtorushthrougheverythingbutfinallymanagedtogetdownstairsat7sharp.I'mproud!
Igrabbedmynow-rechargedcellphoneandgotout,missingbreakfastagain.Irememberedtogetmyboxofvitaminsthough;Staceysentmeamessagetellingmethatherfatherrecommendsthem.Whatever.
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IwalkedtoschoolbutIwasbeingslowerthanusual;nobodywantstopassoutinthestreet,right?Ididn'thavebreakfastandmyvitaminsweresafeinthebox.
Iarrivedthereat8:03am.Uh-oh;IjusthopeIwouldn'tgetadetentionoranything.IranmywayupthestairstotheEnglishclasstofindtheteacherlate.Iletoutasighofreliefandenteredtheclass.
"Hey,"Mattgreetedme,"How'veyoubeen?"
"I'mgreat.Anynews?"IaskedasIsatdown,gettingoutmynotebookandpen.
"NotthatI'dknowof,"hesaid,"So,youhaveaboyfriend."Iblushedandnodded.Hehuggedmewithonehand."Goodforyou.JusttellmeifhehurtsyouoranythingsoIcouldbeathimup."Webothlaughed.MattandIwereprettyclose,especiallyafterheandSamanthabrokeupandStaceyandBradwell,hookedup.
Therestofthedaypassedbyprettyquickly;IwaslookingforwardtomeetingEmbry.
IwonderedwhytheCullensandHalesdidn'tshowuptoday.Ijusthopedtherewasn'tanythingwrongwithanyofthem.
Iranmywaydownstairs,expectingtowaitforEmbry.But,tomysurprise,hewastherealready.
"Hey,"Isaid,ridingbehindhimandholdinghiswaistforbalance.Irememberedtowearpantstoday.
"Hey,honey."Butterfliesagain!OhGod.Iwasjustgladthathecouldn'tseemyblushingfacejustnow;he'dseenenoughyesterday."Shallwe?"heasked.
"Yeah,sure.Butwekindahavetogohomefirst,"Imumbled.
"Why?"heasked."Didyouforgetsomething?"
"Umm-No.ButDadwantstotalktoyou,"Istateddirectly.
"Oh."Wasallhesaid.
Ijusthopeditwouldgowell.
Chapter4
Hestartedheadingtowardsthehouseonhismotorcycle.AlthoughIfeltsosafearoundhim,Icouldn'thelpbutfeelafraidofwhatwasgoingtohappennext.Dadwasgoingto'talk'toEmbry.Ibetthatwouldn'tbepretty.
HeparkedinfrontofthehousebutIdidn'tletgoofhiswaist.Heunwrappedmyarmsgentlyandturnedtolookatme.
"Hey,nothingwillhappen.He'djustgivemethesameoldtalk."Ishuddered,"I
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healfast,youknow."Hechuckledbutitonlymademegrimace;Daddidhaveagun.
Hestrokedmyfacewithhishandandthenwrappedhisarmaroundmywaist.Iheldhishandthatwasonmywaistwithbothofmineasweenteredthehouse.
Dadwasalreadywaitinginthelivingroom,hegotupandeyedbothofus.Ourstancewasn'tthatimpressive,nottomyfatheranyways.
"Mr.Anderson,"Embrygreetedhim.
"Hello,Embry,"hegreetedhimback.Amassivedifferencebetweentheirtonesthough."Comein,"hegesturedtowardsthelivingroom.IhaveneverseenDadatwork,butthat'sthewayI'dguesshe'dtreatasuspectbeforeinterrogatinghim.WebothenteredthelivingroombehindDad."Sweetie,"hecalledme.Iwenttohisside.
"Yes,Dad?"
"Wouldyouexcuseusforamoment?IneedtotalktoEmbry,"hesaid.Uh-oh.
"Dad-"hecutmeoffwithpointingatthedoor.Ihuffedandgotout,butnotbeforemouthingEmbrya'goodluck'.Icouldn'tleavethemalone,couldI?SoIstoodbesidethedoor,listening.Sorry,guys,butifthisisaboutme,thenInee
dtoknowit.Imprintingornoimprinting,Dadcouldeasilyscarehimoff.
Ijusthopedhewouldn'taskhimaquestionlike'whatareyourintentions'orsomething.Whatwouldhesay?'We'rekindasoulmatesso."
God.
Dadbeganwithasigh."Iguessyouknowbynowwhathadhappenedtoherthelasttimeshehadaboyfriendorwhatever."Smooth,Dad.
"Idon'tknowanydetailsbutyes."Embrywasbeingsuper-formal.Goodforhim.
"Shewasinaterriblecondition.Ithinkshe'sjusttoosensitive.Mypoint:Yo
u'dbetternothurtherthewayhedid."IwishedIcouldseeboththeirfacesthen.
"Iwon't,Mr.Anderson;youhavemyword.Iwon'tletanythinghappentoher."IheardDadsigh.
"Onemorething,thetwoofyou-"Icuthimoff.Ifthat'swhatIthinkitisthenhe'dbetterstop.
"Dad,you'renotgivinghim'thetalk',areyou?"Iwentintotheroom."Pleasesayyouwon't,"Igroaned.
"Mary,"hesaidsternly,"I-"Embrycuthimoff.
"Iknowmyboundaries,Mr.Anderson."Hesoundedalittleannoyed.Well,whowouldn't?
"You'dbetter,"Dadmuttered.
"Dad!"Iwhined."Canwegonow?"
"Okay.Whereto?"heasked,lookingatEmbry.
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"LaPush,"hequicklysaid.
"WhereatLaPush?"Dadpushed.
"Myplace,"heanswered,"WhereMomis.IwanttointroduceMarytoMom,that'sall."Iknewhewouldadda'Jeeze'inhisheadnow;IknewIwould.
"Fine,"Dadmuttered.Irolledmyeyesathim;whatwouldEmbrydo?Kidnapme?God!
"Comeon,"Imumbled,practicallydraggingEmbry."Thisisunbelievable,"Imumbledaswegotoutofthehouse.
"He'sjusttakingcareofyou.Iwould'vedonethesame,"hedefendedhim.Istoppedmid-waytothemotorcycletoglareathim.HesmiledandIjusthuffedandwenttothemotorcycle,leaningatit.
"Comeon;IhaveaChemistryexamonMondaysowe'dbettergetgoingsoIcouldstudylater."IhoppedonthemotorcyclebuttrippedinsomethingIcouldn'trecognize.HecaughtmebeforeIfellonthefloor.
"Ican'tstanditwhenyou'remadatme.Sorry,Mary."Heapologized.Ismiled.
"AndIdon'tknowhowImanagedtostaymadatyouforthatlong.Apologyaccept
ed."Istuckmytongueoutathim.Hegrinned."Embry?"Ibeganaswewereontheway.
"Yeah?"
"Canyoutellmemoreaboutvampires?"Icouldfeelhimtense.Hecametoanimmediatestop.
"Why?"heasked.Wasitthatunexpected?
"Ijustwanttoknow.Outofcuriosity."Hesighed.
"Whataboutthem?"Hestartedmovingagain.
"Whattheylooklikewheretheyarestufflikethat."IwassurprisedmyselfatthecourageIhadtoaskaquestionlikethat.ButI'dgrownusedtothefactthathe'sawolf.Well,Itrytotuneitoutbutwhatever.Vampiresdidn'tseemasrealanyways.Ifoundithardtobelieve.
"Thecoldonesarestrong,beautifulandhavethe'supersenses'wehave,someevenhavespecialpowerslikemindreadingandstuff,"hesaidrobotically,"They'reeverywhere.Theydon'tagebuttheycan'tcomeoutinthesuninpublic;theysparkle.Iguessthat'sit."IcouldfeelhisdiscomforttalkingaboutthissoIdroppedit.
"SorryIasked,"Imumbledagainsthisback,"Ididn'tknowyoudon'tfeelcomf
ortabletalkingaboutthem."Thatwasstupid,Iadmit.Imean,they'rehisenemiesofcoursehe'suncomfortable!
Hesighed,"No,it'sokay;Ijustdidn'texpectthat"hemumbled,trailingoff."So,whatdoyouwanttodo?"hesuddenlyasked.
"Aren'twegoingtoyourmother?"Iasked,confused.
"Uh-Rulenumberone,daughter'sboyfriendnevertellsherfatherwhatthey'reactuallydoing.ButwecanvisitMomlater."Ilaughed.
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"Howmanyfathersdidyouhavetodealwith?"Iasked.
"Alot."Heseemedembarrassed.Why?Idon'texpecthimtohavenogirlfriendsbeforeme.Actuallyitwould'vebeenweird.Imean,justlookattheguy!
"Idunnowhatyouguysdothere.WhateveryouwannadoI'mfinewithit."Heseemedtothinkaboutitforamoment.
"Icanshowyouthecliffswecliff-divefrom,"hesuggested.
"Youcliff-dive?"Iasked,theaweobviousinmytone.Hechuckled.
"Yeah."
"Yousohavetotakemecliff-divingonetime,"Idemanded.
"No,"herepliedshortly.What?
"Whynot?"Iwhined.
"I'veseenhumansjump,Mary,soI'mnotallowingthis."Nowhereallydidsoundlikemyfather.Onewordcaughtmyattentionthough.
"Youarehuman,"Imumbled,leaningonhisback.Hesighed.
"SometimesIdon'tfeellikeIam,"hesaid,histonesad."But,youknow,ontheupside,ifIwerecompletelyhuman,maybewewouldn'thavefoundeachother,"hewhisperedgently.Ismiled.
"Yeah,"Ibreathed.
Wegotthereinabouthalfanhour.Heparkedonthecliffs.
Thescenerywasmorethanbeautiful;thecloudyskygavetheoceanashadeofdarkblue,whileIcouldseethewhitewavesstrugglewiththerocksdownthere.Wow.
"Embry,thisis-"hecutmeoff.
"Stillnotasbeautifulasyouare."Iblushedashehuggedmefromtheback.
"Toomuchformyego,"Icommented.Webothlaughed.
Heturnedaroundandhadtoleandowntokissme;hewasabout8inchestallerthanIwas.Thiswasliterallyheaven.
"Doyouwanttomeettheguys?We'resupposedtomeetatSam'sat4:30."Hesatdownontheedgeofthecliffwithmeonhislap.
"Sure."
WespentthenextfewhoursatSam's.Ifoundoutthat,forsomereason,JacobwasleavingSaminchargeofthePack;hewastravellingorsomethinglikethat.
Imeteveryonethereandtheirimprints.Ihadtoadmit,Emilywasanawesomecook.Therestofthegirlswerereallynice,too.
TherewassupposedtobeabonfirenextThursday,beforeRachel's,Jacob'ssister,wedding.
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Therestofthedaypassedbyprettyquickly,Ididn'tgetthechancetomeetEmbry'smotherbutIthoughtIcouldmeetheranothertime.
Embry,somehow,managedtoconvinceMomtotakemetothebeachonSaturday.Shereallywashappyforme.
WeweresittingatthebeachincomfortablesilencewhenEmbrystartedtalking
"Jacobgotbackyesterday."Heseemednervousaboutsomething.Whatcouldthatbe?
"Good.DoesthatmeanNessie'sback,too?"Iasked,heraisedaneyebrowatme.
"Howdidyouknowhe'swithher?"heasked.
"Well,atthesametimehewasgone,shewas,too.Itdoesn'tneedarocketscientisttofigurethatout."Irolledmyeyesathim.Helaughed.
Afewsecondslater,IsawhimnodtosomeoneIcouldn'tsee.SoIturnedtoseewhoitwas.
JacobandNessie.
"Hey,Nessie!"Igreetedher;I'dmissedher,andwavedatJacob,"Wherewereyouthelasttwodays?"Iasked.Shesmiled,butIhadafeelingitwasforced.HmmIwonderwhy.
"Italy,"sheansweredquickly.
"Italy?"Irepeatedtomyself.TheyjustflewtoItalyovertheweekend?Cullens.
"Ineedtotellyousomethingimportant,Mary,"shewhispered.Ilookedatherquestioningly."AboutthevampiresEmbry,JakeandQuiltoldyouabout."Whatwouldshewanttotellmeaboutthem?Inodded,alittlebitlate,Irealized.
"Whataboutthem?"Iasked.
"Well,I-uh,well,um,"shestuttered.Igotsuspicious.Didsheknowthem?
IsawJacobwhispersomethinginherearasEmbrysqueezedmyshoulderreassuringly.WhattheHellwasthatabout?
"I'mhalf-vampire,myfamilyareallvampires."W-H-A-T?
Thebloodranawayfrommyface,Ididn'tknowwheretobecauseIcouldn'tfeelmylimbseither.Embrywasholdingmeclose,keepingmefromfalling.IhadtoremindmyselfofhispresencesoIwouldn'tfaint.
"It'sokay,"IheardEmbrywhisperinmyear.What'sokay?Ijustfoundoutoneofmyveryclosefriendsisaavampire."Please,don'tbescared.I'mrighthere.Iwon'tletanythinghappentoyou."
"Vampires?"Iwhispered,"That'snotaprank?"Iaskedhopefully.Sheshookherhead.
Istretchedmyhandtotouchhers;I'dnevernoticedthatshewascold.
Shewasn't.Infact,shewasalittlebitwarm.Ilookedatherquestioningly.
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"Butyou'renotcold.Embrytoldmethey'recalled'thecoldones'."Shesighed.
"That'sbecauseI'mhalf-vampire.I'mhalf-human,too,"sheexplained.
"Sothat'swhyyoueatlikeus?"IrememberedthechocolateIalwayssawhereating.
"Icansurviveoneitherthatorblood,butIpreferblood."IgulpedandgotclosertoEmbry,ifthatwasevenpossible.Blood.Whywasn'tIrunningaway?Whywasn'tEmbrymoving?"Animalblood,"shecorrected.
WhattheHell?
"What?"Iwhispered.
"Myfamilydoesn'tdrinkhumanblood;wesurviveonanimalbloodinstead."IlookedatEmbrywhonoddedreassuringly.
RenesmeeCullenisahalf-vampire.
AlltheCullensarevampires.
Thedaypassedbyprettywell,wewenttothecliffsafterwards.Nessiehadshow
nmeherown'gift',too.Thatwouldtakeawhiletogetusedto.
AndshetoldmethatsheandJacobaregettingmarried.
Like,marriedmarried.
Wow.
Itwasamazingwatchingtherelationshipbetweenthewolvesandtheirimprints;theyweresoclose.Likelovewasfillingtheair.
Quil'sandSeth'simprintsweren'tliketheothers;theywerejustbestfriends.IwonderedwhenAmyandSethwouldfinallybe'together'.Iknewforsureitwa
sgreat.
Embrywasmorethanaboyfriendtome;hewasmyownsafeharbor,mysuperhero.Hewasalwaysthere,IknewIcouldrelyonhim,Itrustedhimwithmylife.Itrustedhimnottohurtme,Itrustedhimtoneverleaveme,notunderanycircumstances.
Mythsornomyths,IwasdeeplyinlovewithEmbry.
IknewDadwouldknowsoonerorlateraboutEmbrybeing24andhe'dbemad,consideringItoldhimalotthatwe'study'together.Itwasn'tmuchofaliethough;Ididstudy.
ButIdidn'texpectittobethatsoon
"Mary!"IheardDadcallfromdownstairs.What,Dad?IneedtogetreadyforRachelandPaul'sweddingtonight!
"Yes,Dad?"Ianswered.
"Ineedyouhere!"Irolledmyeyesandgotdownstairs,notquiteexpectingwhatIfound.
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"Yeah?"IansweredassoonasIenteredthekitchen,whereheandMomwere.Shelookeddisappointed?Whilehewasjustplainangry.
"Do,ordon'tyouknowhowoldyourboyfriendis?"heasked,crossinghisarmsoverhischest.
"Iknowhe's24,Dad.It'snobigdeal,"Isaid.
"It'snobigdeal?Theguyiseightyearsolderthanyouare!"Heyelled.
"Andwhydoesthatmakeadifference?You're5yearsolderthanMomandIdon'tseeaproblem."Ineverspoketomyparentsthatway.IregrettedeverywordIsaidbutrightthen,Ididn'tcare.
"Ican'ttrusthimaroundyou,"heconcluded."HowdoIknowhe'snotusingyou?"
"Dad!"Ipracticallyyelled."Embrywasn't,isn'tandwon'teveruseme!"Idefendedhim,knowingIwasone-hundredpercentright.
"Itdoesn'tmatter,"hesaid.What?"Becauseyou'renotseeinghimagain."
"What?"Tearswereforminginmyeyes.Howcouldhedothattome?
"Whatyou'veheard,younglady,"hesaidsternly.
Hewasn'tgoingtotakehimawayfromme,never.Embrymeanttheworldtomenow.IlovedMomandDad.Butifthey'retakingmeawayfromhim,Iwouldjustleave.TheycouldcontrolAllenoftheywantedbutnotme.
Never.
Iwaslatealready,Embrywassupposedtopickmeupat9.Nowitwas8:45.Great;Ihave15minutes.
Iranuptomyroomandlockedthedoorbehindme.IkeptcryingasIcontinuedwearingtheblackdressI'dpreparedfortonight.Iputonmyheelsandgrabbedat-shirtandjeans;thatwasallIcoulddorightthen.
ItookoutmycellphoneanddialedEmbry'snumberIhopedhewouldanswer.
"Hello?"heansweredafterthefirstring.
"E-Embry,"Istuttered,myvoicehoarsefromallthecrying.
"What'swrong?"heaskedimmediately.
"I-Iwanttoleave,"Ifinallysaid.
"What?Leavewhat?Mary,whattheHellisgoingon?"
"DadLook,Ijustcan'tstayhereanymore."
"Mary,"hebreathed,"DidyoufightwithyourDadorsomething?"heguessed.
"Yeah,"Ibreathed,too.
"I'llberightthereintwominutes;I'monmyway.Juststaywhereyouare;don'tdoanythingstupid."Stupid?Nowstayingwithyouisstupid?Ifyouonlyknew
EmbryCall
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Whatwasthatabout?Mary,thegoodie-two-shoes,wantedtomoveout?
Iknewshewassomehowcrazybutnotthatmuch.God,whathappened?
IwasalreadyinfullspeedinJake'sRabbit;I'dborrowedit.Ihadtogothere
HereIam
Iparkedinfrontofthesmallhouseandgotoutofthecar,lockingit.Iknockedonthedoor,notexpectingwhattofind.
Hermotheropenedthedoor.Shelookedatmeapologetically.
"Idon'tthinkshecouldcomewithyoutonight"shemumbled.
"What'sgoingon?Where'sMary?"Iasked,confused.
"Openthedoor!"Iheardherfatheryell.WhattheHell?Whatdidshedotodeservethis?
"NO!"Sheyelledbackdefiantly."I'mnotopeningthedooruntilhecomes!"Icouldhearthetearsinhervoice.PoorMary.
"Excuseme,Amelia."HermotherhadinsistedI'dcallherbyherfirstname.Women.
Sheletmethrough,Iranupstairspassingbyherbrother'sbedroom,whichIcouldhearmusicfrom.God,couldhebemorecareless?
"MARYGRACEANDERSON!Openthedoor!"Heyelledather.IwantedtogetbackathimforyellingatherlikethatbutIjustcouldn't.
"What'swrong?"Iaskedforthemillionthtime.Ijustwishedsomeonewouldanswerme.
"Stayawayfromher!"hehissedatme."Gofindsomeoneyourage,"headded.
WhattheHell?
"Embry?"shecalledthroughthedoor.
"Mary!"Herfatheryelledather.
"NO,Dad!Look,we'reapackagedeal,that'sifyouwantmetostayhere."I'dneverexpectedhertosaysomethinglikethat,nottoanyone,letaloneherdad.
Hestayedsilent,frozen.
Sheopenedthedoor,tearssoakingherface.
"Mary."Itwasmyturntospeak."Let'sgoinside."Herfacewasshocked,confused.Butshewentinsideherroomanyways.
"Iwillfindsomewheretostay,Em.EvenifIhavetostayattheCullens',"shemumbled,lookingatthefloor."Buthecan'ttakeyouawayfromme;you'reallIhavenow,"shewhisperedherlastpart,cryingevenharder.Ipulledherintoatighthug.
"ShhEverything'sgoingtobejustfine,"Icooed."Butyoucan'tleave,Mary;the
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y'reyourparents,yourfamily.Youdon'tknowhowluckyyouaretohavethem.Theycareaboutyou,Mary,"Iwhispered.Iknewexactlyhowluckyshewas;I'dneverevenmetmyfather,atleastwhenIknewhewasmyfather;Idon'tknowwhoheis,andmymomdoesn'tevenknowI'mawolf,thoughit'sbeenabout7years.
"Iknowtheydo,"shewhined,"ButIcan'tlethimcomebetweenus.Never.Embry?"
"Yeah?"
"You'retheonlygoodthingthathadhappenedtomeinaverylongtime,Ican'tjustleaveyou."Ithurtmeterriblytohearthosewordsandnotbeabletorespond.Wereweinadifferentsituation,Iwould'veleaneddownandkissedheruntilshecan'tbreathe.
"We'llfindaway,we'lltalktohim.Ipromiseyou,Mary,Iwouldneverletanyonecomebetweenus."
"Iknow,"shewhisperedagainstmychest.
Icouldn'timaginemylifewithoutMary.Itwaslikemylifebeforeherwasalifeofloss,whenIfoundher,Ifoundlight,Ifoundbeauty.
Ifoundmysoulmate.
Hewouldn'ttakeherawayfromme.We'lltalkourwayoutofthis,right?
Icouldn'tsupportherinherdecision,thoughitwould'vebeenbetterforme;I'dseehermuchmore.ButIcan'tdothistoher,Ican'ttakeherfamilyawayfromher.Ican'tjustdepriveherofthehappinessthatI'dneverfound.
"Let'sgototheweddingnow,shallwe?We'relate,youknow,"Imuttered,strokingherhair.
"Comeon,"sheanswered."Dad?"Hewasstillstunned;heonlykeptglaring.
"Yes?"
"I'mgoingtotheweddingnow,I'llcomebefore12,"shewhispered."PleasethinkaboutwhatI'dtoldyou,"shebegged,"becauseIreally,reallydon'twanttomoveout."
PoorMary;andshe'salsomeetingthevampstonight.
Whoknowswhat'sgoingtohappennext?
Chapter5
MeetingtheCullenswentwell.NowIstillhaveonetinylittleproblem.
Dad.
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Icalmeddownalot,mainlybecauseofEmbry'spresence.NowIfeelguiltyforwhatI'ddone.I'dneverspokentomyparentslikethat.
"I'lltalktohimtomorrow,okay?"Embrysaidonourwaytomyhouse.Inodded.
"Thanks,Embry,"Ibreathedbuthewouldhear.Hesmiled.
"Mypleasure."Icouldfeelhemeanteveryletter.Iletoutasmallsmile.ThenIrememberedsomething.
"There'sthispartytomorrow,"Isaid,hefrownedinconcentration,"I'mgoingtherewiththeguysfromschool,doyouwanttocome?Idon'tthinkHamiltonwouldobject."BryanHamilton'spartyoftheyearwasgoingtobetomorrow.Heshrugged.
"When?"heaskedaswegotclosertothehouse.
"9pm,"Iinformedhim,nowthinkingaboutwhatIwouldwear.It'snotlikeitmatteredthatmuchbeforeButnowitdoes.
"I'llpickyouupat8:30andyou'dtellmewhereto,okay?"heoffered.Inodded.
"Sure,"Isaid.
"Hereweare,"heannouncedashestoppedinfrontofthehouse,"Takecare."HekissedmyforeheadandIblushed,"Andpleasecalmdown,"headded.Inodded.
"I'lldomybest.Promise,"Isaid,tryingtosmilebutitturnedoutmoreofagrimace.
"Loveyou!"heyelledaftermeasIgotout.Igiggled.
"Loveyou,too,"Isaid,wavinghimgoodbye.Theporchlightwaslit.Theywerestillawake.IknockedandDadopenedbeforeIcouldblink.
"Well,I'mback,"ImumbledasIgotin,"See?Noharmdone,"mytonewasdark.
HowcouldhethinkthatwayofEmbry?
Hesighed.
"Mary,"hestartedasweenteredthelivingroom,Ikickedoffmyheelsfirstthing;theywerekillingme,"Ididthatforyoursake;Iwantyoutobesafe,"hereasoned.Iheldmybreathforasecondtoavoidcrying.
"Don'tyoutrustme?"Iasked,"Ormyjudgment?"Hesatdownbesideme.
"Idotrustyou,but,honey,I'veseenthingshappen,"hisvoicewasrestrained.
"Then,trustme,Embrywoulddiebeforeanythinghappenstome."Iknowthatmor
ethananyone.
Herolledhiseyes.
"Sweetie,you'resixteen,Iknow,butI'dneverthoughtyou'dfallforsuchtalk,"hesaid.Ilaughedmentally.Iwantedtotellhimthatheimprintedonme,thatwe'remeanttobebutIdidn'tknowhowtoexplainthattohimwithoutblowingthesecretIwasboundtokeep.
"CanIreachsomekindofcompromisewithyou?"Iasked,hopeful.Heraisedane
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yebrowatme.
"Howso?"heasked,suspicious.
"Embrywouldalwaysbewithmesomewherepublicorwithparentalsupervisionorwhatever,justdon'tkeepusfromseeingeachother,"Iwasbegging,notcompromising.Hethoughtaboutthatforamoment.
"Okay,"heagreed.Iwantedtosqueal,tojump,but,instead,Ihuggedhim.
"Thankyou,"Iwhispered,"Youdon'tknowhowmuchthismeanstome."Really,youdon't."Icanstillgotothepartytomorrow,right?"Iasked.
"'BryanHamilton's?"heasked.Inodded.
"ItoldyouIwouldthinkaboutit,"hestarted,"No,"hesaidwithfinality.Ipouted.
"But-"hecutmeoff.
"Nobuts!Thekidhasarecord,"hesaid.Isighed.
"Okay.CanIgotoLaPush,then?"Iasked.
"Youbothcanstayhere,"hesuggested,"Don'tpushyourluck."Iwantedtoobjectbutthoughtagainstit.
"IsMomasleep?"Iasked,notreallycaringaboutAllen.It'snotlikehecaredwhenthewholeargumenthappened.Dadnodded."Okay.I'llbeinmyroom,"Istatedandgotupstairs,snatchingmyheelsonmyhands.IthrewthemassoonasIenteredtheroomandchangedintomypajamas.Ijumpedonthebedandletoutahugesigh.IfeltmymusclesrelaxasIlaidonthecomfybed.IdecidedthatIdidn'twanttosleepjustyetsoItextedEmbry.
Hey=)ItalkedtoDad.He'sbetter.Nopartytomorrowbtw.Comeatmyplace?
IturnedonmyiPodandlistenedtosomeRihannasongsasIwaited.Myphonevib
ratedwhileIwaslisteningtothethirdsong,Hypnotized.
Toldyou=P7isfine?Missyoualready.
IrolledmyeyesandkeptlisteningtotherestofthesongbeforeItextedhimback.Iloveditslyrics,especiallynow.
I'mfeelinsomethinthatIcan'tunderstandIt'slikeI'mcapturedbythetouchofyourhandIt'syourvibeIt'syourstyleIt'sthewaythatyousmileGetalittlerushwhenIhearyourname
It'ssomagneticwhenyou'reherenexttomePullin'mecloserhappenssonaturallyWeconnectIt'selectricThisfeelin'insideCouldn'tholditbackevenifItried
God.
Istartedtexting
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Great.MissYoutoo.Whatareyoudoing?
Mycreditwasgoingtoend,soon,butwhatever;IwastextingEmbry.Icouldn'tcareless.
BythetimeIfinishedthesong,hetextedmeback.
Watchin'CSI,wbu?
Istartedwritingagain
WaslisteningtoHypnotized*hint**hint*=PLookIgottasleepnw.Cutom.
HypnotizedIsurelywas.
Lol.SleepTightxD
Isighed.Ididn'thaveanyideahowmyrelationshipwithEmbrywouldcontinue.Frankly,Ididn'tcaremuchaboutthehows;Ijustcaredabouttheresult:IwouldbewithEmbryCall.
Mysuperhero.
Ifeltlikealittlegirl,crushingovertheguynextdoorandwaitingforhimtocome.Iwouldn'ttradethatforanythingthough,evenifI'mfriendswithvampiresandisawerewolf'sgirlfriend.Idon'tcare.
Embryhaschangedalotinme,hetaughtmewhattrueloveis,hetaughtmethisfeelingofsecurityandsafety,hetaughtmewhatitfeelsliketotrustsomeonesomuch,hetaughtmealot.
LikeIneededanymorereasonstolovehim.
Hisbrowneyesweremesmerizing.Idon'tcareifthat'sbecauseofallthismagicandmyths.AndhishairGod,hishair.
Isighedagainandforcedmyselftosleep;ifIthoughtabouthimmoreIwouldn'tbeabletosleepatall.
Iwokeupnextmorningonmymother'svoice,whichIhadn'tquiteexpected.
"Mary?"shecalled.Inoddedgroggilyforhertokeeptalking,"It's1pmalready.Get.Up!"shesaid,hervoicecheerful.
"'Kay,Mom,justoneminute,"Imumbled.Shestrokedmyhair.
"Okay,honey,justgetupbeforeWilliamcomesbackfromworkandfindsyouasleep."Icouldhearherexittheroomandclosethedoorbehindher.Igotupandrubbedmyeyesthengroaned;rememberingthatIhadn'twashedmymake-upfromla
stnight.Imustlookterriblenow.
Iwashedmyfacethenusedthemake-upremoverthatI'dbeenusingforawhilenow.Then,IsteppedintotheshowerandleteverysingleounceofstressthatIhadfromyesterdaydisappear.
Igotoutanddressedupinapairofjeansandaredpullover;itwasprettycold.ThenIcombedmyhairanddriedit,leavingitdownonmyshoulders.Inoticedthatitcameaboutthreeinchesaftermyshoulderline.Ineededtocutit;Ihatedittoolong,itbotheredme.
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IturnedonmycomputerandwaitedforittoopenasIrandownstairsandbeganpreparingmybreakfast;MomwasbusytutoringAllen.
Aftereating,Igotbackupstairstofindthecomputerhadfinallyfinishedloading.Isignedinintomye-mailaccountandbegancheckingtheOnlinelist,wantingtokillthetimebeforeEmbrycomesat7.IscannedthroughthemuntilIfoundher.
Couldn'tyoufindanylongername,Stacey?Irolledmyeyesanddoubleclickedonhernameandthechatwindowappeared.
JustMary:heysweetie
:heyM.hru?
JustMary:gdgdwbu
:sameasusual.Howsurbo?
JustMary:*sigh*dadisdebatingwhethertokillhimbyhandorgun*rollseyes*seriously,hecantstandhimsinceheknewhowoldhereallyis.
IonlytoldStaceyaboutthis;Ineededtotellsomeone.Wolfsecretremainedsafethough.
:OMG!Wtddudo?
JustMary:sortacompromised.Parentalsupervisionandstuffliketht.
:Aw!Imsorryhon.GoodluckdoingTHAT.
JustMary:Idon'tmindthtmuchReallydon'twannaknwwtunBraddo*shudders*
:Idiot;it'sntliketht.AnywhoIgtgnw
JustMary:*stillshudders*kkcu
:Stillanidiot*stickshertongueout*bye!
Ilaughedandclosedthechatwindow,spendingthenexthourcheckingoutmyFacebookaccount.
"Mary!"IheardMomcallfromdownstairs,"Grey'sAnatomyison,wannawatch?"Ilovedmed-shows.
"Coming!"Iyelledandsignedoutofmyaccounts,headingdownstairs.
6:59Icouldn'twaitforhimtocome.Ibegancountingseconds
.3,21
Thebellrang.Ihoppedoutofmyseatandstormedtothedoor,openingitwithamassivegrinonmyface,andtherehestood,smilingsoftlyashekissedmyforehead.
"Hey,sweetie,"hesaid,"Anybetter?"heasked,removingthestrandofmyhairthatwasonmyfaceandputtingitbehindmyear,myheartthuddedhardlyinmychestandIblushed.
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"Yeah,"Ibreathedandgotonmytiptoestokisshischeek."Comein,"Isaid,gesturingforhimtocomeinsideandhedid,knockingmybreathoutwithhisarmwrappedaroundmyshoulder.
"Hello,Embry,"Momgreetedhim,smilingpolitely.Apparently,dadwastheonebehindyesterday'slittleargument.
"Hello,Amelia,"hegreetedher,smilingandtakinghiseyesoffmefortheshortestsecond.Iheldhishandanddraggedhimtothelivingroom;Dadsaidthatmyroomwasofflimits.Hestayedupstairs,refusingtoseehimthen.Hewasjustbeingwell,dad.
"So,"hestarted,sittingbesidemeonthecouch,"Whatwereyouwatching?"heasked.
"FirstwasGrey'sAnatomy,thenER,thenIjustletMomwatchthismovie,"Ikepttryingtorememberitsname,"Ohyeah,AWalkToRemember."Ijustwasn'tthetypeforromanticmovies.Hechuckled.
"Youlikemed-showsalot,don'tyou?"Irolledmyeyes.
"Yeah,"Isaid,thenIlookedupathim,"Beingadoctorwasonmywish-listwhenIwaslittle,"Istatedtruthfully.Ialwaysimaginedmyselfworkingatahosp
ital,helpingpeople.
"Whydidyougiveitup,then?"heasked,curious.Igrimaced.
"It'sjust,well,Idiscoveredthatit'stoomuchwork,"Isaid,ratherplayfully;thatwasn'ttherealreason.Hechuckled.
"Really?"heasked,"Becauseyoudon'tseemlikethetypeofpersonwho'dbackoutjustbecauseofmorework."Heknewmetoowell.Andwehaven'tbeentogetherforalongtime.
Isighed,"Idon'tthinkIcanmakeit,youknow?"Ibrokeeye-contact,"Alotof'doctors'graduateeveryyearand,well,they'renotallgood."Ihateddoing
somethinglessthanperfect.Especiallyifit'ssomethingIlove.
Hetookmyfaceinhishandsandforcedmetolookathim.
"Don'tthinkthatway;you'reamazing.I'msureyou'dbeanawesomedoctor,"hesmiledproudly.Irolledmyeyes.
"You'rejustbiased,"Icommented,smiling.Hegrinned.
"No,you'reperfect."
"Thatprovesmypointfurther,"Isaid.
"See?You'dmakeagreatdoc."Ilaughed.
"You'reweird,Em."Hesmiled.
"Iknow."
Wekeptonchattinglikethatforthenexthour,thenDadmadehisappearance.
"Hello,"hesaid,enteringthelivingroom.Webothtensed,especiallyEmbry.Idon'tblamehim.
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"Hey,"IsaidasEmbrysaidhis'Hello'.Dadcamebymysideandputahandonmyshoulder.
"Allenneedssomeonetoexplainagrammarruletohim,couldyougo?"heasked.Iknewrightthenthatitwasn'taboutAl;hewantedtotalktoEmbry.ButIdecidedtoplayalong.
"It'sgrammar!What'ssohard?"IaskedrhetoricallyasIgotoutoftheroomandDadclosedthedoor,killinganychancesformetoheartheirconversation.IsighedandgotuptoAl'sroom.Turnsoutthathedidn'tneedanythingandthatIwasright.Ichuckledtomyself,alittlenervousaboutthisconversation.
Iwenttomyroomandclosedthedoor,turningontheonesongthatIdecidedremindedmeofEmbry;Hypnotized.
Ididn'trealizethatIfellasleepuntilIfeltahandshakemyshoulder.
"Wakeup,honey.It's12am.Changeandgobacktosleep,"Momsuggested.Igotupimmediately.
"What?12?"Isaid,removingtheiPodheadphonesfrommyears."Where'sEmbry?"Iaskedandyawnedhugely.
"Heleftabouthalfanhourafteryoufellasleep,"shesaid.Isighed;Icouldn'tbelieveImissedthat.
"Fine."IgotupandchangedasMomwentdownstairs.ThenIdecidedtocallEmbry.
Iwaitedforhimtoanswerbuthedidn't.Maybehewasonpatrolorsomething.Buthetoldmeitwasn'thisturntonight
Afewsecondslater,Ireceivedatextmessagethatmademyheartmissafewbeats.
Ican'tcometomorrow.Ineedsometimealone.Sorry.Willcalllater.Dunnowhe
ntho.~Embry.
No!No,no,no,no!Iknewthiswasn'tnormal;Embryalwayscame,evenifhehadpatrollingtodo,evenwhentheirAlphawasinItaly,eveniftheworldrevolvedtheotherwayhealwayscame.
Thiswasn'thappening!
Notagain!
Chapter6
MatthewDavis[Matt]
Finallytheexamswereover.Andpartyingwasactuallythebestwaytofinishthem;Hamilton'spartywastonightasinnow.
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IwastheDJ,well,justforacoupleofsongsorsomethingthenIwouldgiveitbacktoBryanorBrad.
Ikeptswitchingbetweensongsandeveryonejustkeptdancingandhavingfunthekindoffunthatwouldprobablyendwithapolicecruiser.But,whatever.
IsettledonLowandBradandStaceyhadthespotlightonthatone,movingwiththebeat.IkepthummingthefamiliarlyricsandmovingmyheadwiththebeatuntilIwastired;itwas1amalreadyandIhadbeentheresince9.
IcheeredforBradandStacey,"Thatwasawesome!"IcommentedusingthemicrophoneIhadaccessto,"NoweverybodycheerfortheoneandonlyBryanHamilton."Iwasn'tinanywaystayingthereforoneminute.TheycheeredandwaitedforHamiltontocomeupwhereIamandtakethelead.Ismirkedasheglaredatme,leavingthebarandcontinuingwhatIwasdoing.
Ileftthe'stage'orwhateverandwentoutsidebythepool,relaxingasthefresh,coldairhitme.
"Hey,dude,"David,oneonourfootballteam,said.Iwould'vebethewasdrunkokay,maybehalf-drunk.Igavehimthatmuch.
"Hey,"Ireplied,leaningonthewall.Hecameandgotwhatlookedlikeacigar
outofhispocket.
"Checkthisout,"hesaid,grinning.Itookitinmyhandandflippeditonbothsides,waitingforhimtosaysomethingbuthedidn't.
"Acigar?So?"Ihavesmokedbefore.Ididn'tlikeitthatmuch,franklyspeaking,butitwasn'tsuchabigdeal.
"'So?'"Hequoted,lookingatmelikeanidiot."ThatcamestraightfromCuba.Avanillacigarwhichpeoplewouldbegfor.Andyou'resaying'so'?"hesnorted.Ichuckledathisexaggerationandtookit.
"Well,IguessI'llseewhatpeople'beg'for,"Imumbledashelititforme."
Thanks,man,"IsaidbeforeIinhaled.Hesmiledandturnedtheotherway,goingtosomeoneelse.Assoonasheturnedhisback,Icoughed,gettingoutthetobaccomixedwithvanillathatI'dbeentakingin.Itdidn'ttastethatgoodatall,formeatleast.SoIjustthrewitonthegroundandsteppedonit,leaningbackonthewall.
IgotoutmyphoneanddialedMary'snumber;thegirlsaidshewouldcometonight.Wherewasshe?
Sheansweredimmediately.
"Embry?"shewhispered.Ifrowned;whywassheexpectinghimtocall?Imean,weren'tthey,like,togethernow?
"No,it'sMatt.Whereareyou?"Iaskedcasually,thoughthewholesituationfeltawfullyfamiliartome.Ohthat'swhathappenedthenightSamantha,myex,brokeupwithme.Theroleswereswitchedthough.
Shesighed,"Home,"shewhispered,hervoicebreakingasifshewasresistingtears.
"What'swrong?"Iasked,concerned.Whatcould'vehappened?
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Shebrokeintotears,"Idon'tknow,Matt,IwishIdo,"shemanagedtosay.
"Whoa,whoa!Calmdown!Whathappened?"Ipushed,slightlyguessingwherethiswasheadingtowards.
"Hewon'tcome,"shepanted.Huh?
"What?"Iasked,"Look,doesyourdadhaveanightshifttonight?"Iasked,rememberingthatshe'dtoldmebeforethathetakesdoubleshiftssometimes.
"Yeah,"shebreathed,"Why?"sheasked.
"Whatdoyousay,Icomegetyouandyoucantellmeallaboutthis?"Ioffered.Iowedhermorethatthat;MarywasactuallytheonewhohelpedmegetoverthewholeSamanthaissue.Plus,IhadpromisedbeforethatIwouldbetherewhensheneededmelikeshehadbeenrightbymysidewhenIneededher.Shewasmybestfriend.
"Areyounuts?"sheasked,"Oh,wait,youare."Shepaused,"Dadwouldkillmeifheknew,"shesaid.
"Whywouldhe?Hewouldgohomeat5,right?"Iasked.
"Yeah,"itsoundedmorelikeaquestion.Irolledmyeyes.
"It's1:15now,I'dgetyoubackhomebeforehe'sanywherenearit,promise,"Isaid,alreadyworriedabouther.
Shesighed,"'Kay.I'llbeatthecornerin10,"shesaid,slightlydistracted."Seeyou,"shesaid.
"Seeyou,"Isaidtothenow-deadcellphone.IstuckitbackinthepocketofmydarkbluejeansandgotoutthekeystomyNissan,goinginsidetofindBrad.
Therehewas.
Inudgedhisshoulderandheturnedaround,reluctantlyleavingStacey'sside.H
elookedatmequestioningly,givingmethat'that-better-be-important'look.
"Justmakesureyouendupsoberenoughtodrive;I'mleaving,"Iannouncedandturnedmybacktothemhegrabbedmyshoulder.
"Why?"heaskedsuspiciously.Ididn'twanttotellthem,honestly;theymightgetworried.Besides,Ididn'twantanyonetoknowaboutthisandtellherfather.
"I'mtired."Noliethere;Iwas.Heraisedaneyebrowatmethenshrugged.
"Okay,Iguess.Seeyoutomorrow,"hewavedmegoodbyeandIturneditback,gettingoutofthere.
TheroadtoMary'sstreetwasshort;onlyfiveminutesawaysoIwaitedforheratthecornerasshetoldmeshe'dgo.
Iwonderedwhatwaswrongwithher.Didheleaveher?Isthatpossible?Imean,justthewayhelookedatherdidn'tsuggestinanywaythattheirrelationshipwasgoingtoendafteronlyoneweek.Heusedtogetherfromschooleveryday,callatLunchtocheckuponher,takeheroutonweekend.Thisisjustunexpected.
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Naw;thatcouldn'tbeit.
But,then,whathappened?
Iwassnappedoutofmyreveriewithherknockingonmywindow.Iopeneditandeyedhertear-soakedface.TheoneIhadn'tseensincelasttimeMaxvisited.Oh,thatwasonlyaweekago.Itseemedlikeforever.
"Hey."Itriedtosmilebutnotthecruelestdemoncoulddothatwhenjustlookingatherheart-brokenexpression.
Shetriedtosmileback,Ithink,butitturnedoutmorelikeagrimace.
"Well,comein,"Ioffered,unlockingtheotherdoorwithmymasterlock.Sheshookherhead.
"Idon'twanttobelate.Wecanwalkaroundhereifyoudon'tmind?"sheoffered,zippinghersweatertoherneck.Irolledmyeyes.
"Comeon;it'scold,"Itriedtoreasonbutsheshookherheadagain.Isighed;Iknewthataskingheragainwouldjustendupinherinsistingorgettingbackhome.JusttheoldtypicalMaryAnderson.Iclosedmywindow,grabbedmyjacketfromthebackseatandgotoutofthecar,lockingit.Ihopedthatparkingwasallowedthere.
ShestartedwalkingtowardstheendofthestreetandIkeptwithherslowpaceforamomentbeforeIspoke.
"So,"Istarted,"Tellmewhathappened,"Idemanded.Shestartedcrying,again.
"Heleft.Idon'tknowifitwasDadorjustme.Imean,it'sthesecondtimethathappenswithmetheremustbesomekindofareasonforthis.ButthenIdon'tknowwhatIdidforhimtoreactlikethatIfIonlyknew-"shekeptbabblingdoIcutheroff.
"Left?Didhejustbreakupwithyouorwhat?"Ipushed.Shestoppedandstartedsobbinginsteadofjustwell,crying.Acoupleofsecondslatershegotoutherc
ellphoneandopenedamessagethatIread.
"So?Maybehereallyneedssometimealone,"Iconcluded.Whywasshereactingthatway?
Sheshookherhead,"N-NoH-Healwayscomes,"shepanted,sobbingevenharder,"H-Hedoes-doesn'ta-answerhisp-phone."Ipulledherintoahugandshekeptsobbing,herbreathbecomingmoreandmorerigid.ThatwaswhenIpattedherback;sheneededtocalmdown.
"ShhI'msurethisisnothing,"Icooed,truthfully.Imean,theguysaidheneededsometimealoneandthathe'dcalllater.Whydidshethinkheleft?
"No!"shewhisper-yelled,probablyunabletogetanymorevoiceoutofher,andsobbedevenharder,ifthatwaspossible.Icouldfeelherhandstrembleonmyback."Heim-"IwaitedforhertocontinuebutIfeltherbodybecomeheavierandshecollapsedinmyhands,almostcausingbothofustofallontheground.Ijuststaredatherforamoment.
Wow;shefainted.
Whattodonow?
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Whenpeoplefainttheygetthemtothehospital,right?
Right.
ButIhadtotryoncebeforeIcarriedhertomycar;okay,soIwasstrongerthananormalguy;beingonthefootballteamandsuch,butjustnotthatstrong.
"Mary?Mary,canyouhearme?"Istrokedhercheek.Noresponse.
Ofcourse!
I,somehow,managedtogethertotheNissan.Weweren'tthatfarawayafterall.Iopenedthebackdoorandlaidherbodyin,sighingheavilyasIdid.Islippedquicklyintomyfrontseatandturnedthekeyintheignition,speedingmywaytothehospital.
IknewDr.Brooke,Stacey'sfatherwouldbethere.Bradtoldmethathehadtoconvincehimtotakehisdaughtertothepartywhilehe'sout.Ididn'tgethispointthough,Dr.BrookeImean.
Ileftherinthecarandrushedinside,callingforanybodytogooutandgether.Iaccompaniedthemastheytookheronawhitebed.Ifollowedtheminsideandwentdirectlytothe'reception'orwhatever.Iwasmetbyanurse.
"Hello,howmayIhelpyou?"Howdoyouthink?
"IsDr.Brookehere?"Iasked.IhadtogetsomeoneIknew;Iwouldn'tbeabletodoanythingiftheyaskedmeaboutanythingthere.
"Yes,"sheansweredandgotbacktoherpaperwork.Seriously!DidIcomeheretoaskwhetherornothewasthere?
"Canyoucallhim?"Iasked,shelookedatmesuspiciously.
"Andyouare?"Irolledmyeyes.
"MatthewDavis,hisdaughter'sfriend.Justcallhimorpagehimorwhateveryou
do!"Iwasgettingimpatient.Normally,apersonwouldn'tbeinthebestmoodat2amwithhisfriendsomewherehedoesn'tknowatthehospital,knockedoutandanursewasjustbeingsoveryannoying.
"WhydoyouwantDr.Brooke?"Iglaredather.IfStaceywasn'tattheparty,herphoneprobablysomewhereshecan'thear,Iwould'veaskedforherfather'snumber.
"Justcallhimalready!"Iyelled.
"Matt?"Iheardafamiliarvoicecall.IturnedaroundtofindDr.Brookestandingwithafileinhishand,whichheputonthecounterandturnedtofaceme.Isighedinrelief."Iseverythingokay?"heasked,"Where'sStacey?"Ishookmy
head.
"She'sfine,probablystillatthepartyorheadinghome,"Ianswered,relaxingjustalittlebit."It'sMary,"Iinformed.Hefrowned.
"Issheokay?"Whatdohospitalsdotopeople?I'mhere,askingforadoctor,at2amandtellinghimthatMary'stheproblem.Howcouldshebeokay?
"No,"Iansweredsimply,"Ijustgotherhere,knockedout.TheytookhersomewherebutIdon'tknowwhere,"Isaidtruthfully.Henoddedinunderstanding,moti
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oningformetofollowhimtowhatIrealizedlaterwastheER.Ifollowedhim.
"Wasshedrunk?"heaskedprofessionally.
"No;shewasn'tatthepartyinthefirstplace."ThatwaswhenhereturnedStacey'sfather,notthedoctor.
"Then,whywasshewithyou?"heaskedcuriously.Damn!Howcouldn'tIthinkofit?Nowshe'sintrouble.IsighedknowingthatIcouldn'thaveleftherwithoutgettingherhere.Itwasmyfault.
"Sheneededtotalkaboutsomestuff,wewerewalkinginthestreet."IwastooyoungtobeshotbyOfficerAnderson.Seriously.
Henodded,"WaithereandI'llberightback,"hesaid.InoddedandwaitedashewentdeeperintotheERwhileIwasjustinthefront.IcrossedmyarmsovermychestandwaitedthenIdecidedthatIshouldcallherfather.WewereintroubleanywayssoI'dbettercallhimmyselfinsteadofDr.Brookeorthehospital.MyfamilywasoutoftownfortheweekendanywayssoIdidn'tneedtomakethemworried.
IpulledoutmycellphonethenrememberedIdidn'thaveherfather'snumberandhewasatwork.
BeforeIcouldthinkofanythingelse,IfeltDr.Brooke'shandonmyshoulder.Iturnedaroundandlookedathimquestioningly.
"She'sfinenow.Apparently,therewasn'tenoughoxygenforherbrain,andbeinghypotensive,shefainted.Howdidthathappen?"heasked.Whatdidhethink?
"Shewascrying,well,sobbingactually,"Iexplainedandhenodded.
"I'mgoingtocallWilliam."HeleftandIsighed,goinginside,scanningwithmyeyesuntilIfoundher,sittingupandtakingoffsomekindofamask.Sheletoutasmallsmilewhenshesawme.
"Sorry,"shewhisper-apologized.Ismiledbackather.
"Better?"Iasked.Shenodded."Wereyouevensupposedtotakethatoff?"Iasked.Sherolledhereyes.
"It'sokay,"shereassuredme.
"Yourfatherisgoingtobeherein-"Dr.Brookecutmeoff.
"