A/N: Here it is, after a couple of weeks I have popped out a new chapter! It was hard to think of how to start it, but once I started I couldn't stop. It's a little different with some different point of views in the mix, but its great, trust me. It will moving at a faster pace just as soon as Breanna start high school. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading!
Chapter Twelve.
Leah's POV.
My hands ripped off the sheet that lay on my body as I felt an unbearable heat. That was something I missed about being fully human; I could use a blanket without dying of heat stroke. My alarm clock glowed with red numbers, 6:04, and with a huff I pulled myself out of bed, slipping out of my room and into our bathroom across the hallway. As I passed Seth's room, I could hear his loud snores ringing from inside, along with a smaller, more hushed one. I raised my eyebrow.
Really Seth? You just met your imprintee and you're already shacking it up?
With the bathroom door closed, I switch on the light and start the shower, peeling off my sweat covered clothes as I jump inside. The water, even at maximum heat, still felt lukewarm on my scalding skin. I covered my palm in banana scented shampoo and lathered it in my ebony hair, running my nails across my scalp to get any hiding dirt or muck from this morning's run off of my body. Patrol was brutal this morning, with the only thing on Paul's mind being Jerry's long lost and broken daughter, and on Jacob's, even if his dad is this close to going back into the hospital, Bella freaking Swan. Jared had yet to resurface from Kim's room, and Embry was on the verge of a mental breakdown being this far from his imprint.
What a group, them and I, I thought to myself as I washed the remnants of conditioner from my hair, picking up the loofah and body wash before lathering up my body. Thank god I wasn't in Sam's pack anymore, I'd be the bitter bitch instead of Jacob. Dominic flashed across my mind, his cheek dimple making me smile. Well, most likely not, since I had him.
"Leah, are you in there?" Mom asked over the rush of water as she tapped on the door.
"Yeah, it's me. Don't worry, I'm just finishing up." I shaved the last bit of my armpit and turned the water off, pulling back the curtain before wrapping my hair and body in a towel. The bathroom steam came flooding out as I opened the door, and impatient Sue Clearwater staring up at me. "What did I do?"
"Did you let Bailey sleep over last night?" Oh, great. Now it's my fault that Seth snuck her in. She gave me an impatient look and tapped her foot.
"I was over at Aunt Jean's house and then I went on patrol. When I got home and fell asleep she wasn't here, so it had to of been before I woke up." She nodded and sighed, rubbing her temples with her forefingers.
"I hope he isn't doing anything you were at his age."
"Mom, I had been with Sam for a while when I lost my virginity. It wasn't like I was having sex with every boy that would give me a go." She chuckled and patted me on my shoulder.
"I know, honey. I'm just teasing." I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out, walking past her and back to my own room. I flicked the light on as I locked my bedroom door, dropping my towel. From my immense body heat, I'm already dry. Thank god for that, or it would take me awhile to get ready. I threw a matching set of pink panties and bra, along with a pair of light blue jean shorts and a light blue tank top. I pulled my hair into a tight pony tail and made my way back out of my bedroom and into the dimly lit living room. Mom sat on the right side of the long leather couch, puffing a cigarette over a large, black ashtray. I scrunched up my nose as the smell hit my nostrils.
"Know where any clean socks are? All mine are dirty."
"You wash any this week?"
"Nope."
"Then I do not." With a huff I flop onto the couch, propping my feet on the coffee table. "Do you mind?" I turn to see her give me a glare and I give her a sheepish smile, stretching my arms above my head before I hear a pop.
"Not in the least." We sit in silence for a few minutes before she speaks again.
"How's Jerry holding up?"
"Pretty well, considering his daughter is in need of counseling and a tutor. That mother of hers is a piece of work."
"It's a shame they couldn't get her sooner. Maybe she wouldn't have had to go through all that." I closed my eyes and breathed in a deep sigh, trying to close my mind from all the bruises and scars that covered her body.
"You could tell she had been through hell by the state her body was in. At least Jean has a hold of her now to fatten her up. You could see her ribs!" Mom sighed and shook her head, rubbing out of cigarette before stepping up and grabbing her purse off of the coffee table.
"I'll be home later tonight. Its Seth's turn to cook dinner." She paused at the front door and turned back to me. "Drop by their house and give them the pie I baked. It's on the table."
"Will do, mother."
"And no tasting!" I gave her a fake pout as she exited the door, and clicked on the TV as I heard it lock. Yes, she's finally gone. Now no one can see me watch my secret favorite show. A wide grin took over my face. Sixteen and Pregnant, here I come!
Seth's snores stopped abruptly around 8, along with Bailey's, and after some shuffling they exited the room with dreary looks on their faces. Seth ran a hand through his hair before speaking, his voice full of sleep.
"You didn't tell mom, did you?" I shook my head and dove my hand into the bowl of popcorn before shoving it into my mouth.
"Didn't have to, she already knew."
"And she isn't mad?"
"I think she's just worried." He huffed loudly and flung himself onto the other end of the couch, grabbing Bailey's hand and pulling her to sit on his lap. She was a small girl, pale skin of a non-native and long brown hair, with a baby face along with baby blue eyes. As I looked at them she stared down at her lap, fiddling with her fingers nervously. Her friends must have told her how scary I could be, considering how protective I was of Seth. Deciding to break the tense silence that had inhabited the room, I sat down my popcorn and stood up, looking at them questioningly.
"Would you like some breakfast, Bailey?" She opened her mouth to speak but Seth beat her to it.
"Yes, we would like some. Maybe waffles and some bacon? There's also some chocolate muffins in the cabinet and bananas on the table." I glared down at him and he shrugged, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist before kissing her cheek lightly.
"Shut up nerd bomber, she can speak for herself." He rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue at me.
"Duh, I know that."
"Then let her speak, dumb ass." I turned my attention back to the petite girl and smiled warmly. "You cool with that, Bailey?" She nodded and looked back down at her lap, pushing some hair behind her ears.
"Waffles are good." With a nod I turned and made my way into the kitchen, turning on the light with a flick of my finger. It had been awhile since I had cooked for someone other than myself, and I was going to impress. Well, it's not as if I have to, though. I'm fucking amazing!
Jared's POV.
The sunlight glittered in from the openings of the blinds, causing it to splash onto my face. The house smelt of chocolate chip pancakes and hot cocoa, no doubt Karen's specialty. With a sigh, I turned onto my side and stared down at the beautiful girl beside me, her long black hair flowing like a river over her pink-flowered comforter. Her caramel colored skin glowed in the light of the room, and her eyelashes sparkled against her cheeks like ink lines on a painting. My beautiful, lovely, and amazing Kimberly. How did I get so lucky?
Not wanting to disturb her, I slowly made my way off of the bed and made my way out of the room, following the lovely scent all the way to the kitchen where her mother and father sit talking. The smell of freshly brewed coffee assaulted my senses, and I was in heaven. Fluffing her hair, Karen looked up and gave me a warm smile, nodding to the loaded counter.
"Help yourself. Make a plate for Kim and bring it to her. I assume she still isn't feeling well?" I shook my head and ran my hand through my short hair, frowning. Kim had been throwing up all night, body freezing but her head burning up from a fever. Hopefully by now it had passed, and she would be ready to eat. I walked over to the counter and got a closer look at the pancakes and grinned. And if she couldn't eat them, I could finish them for her.
I stepped back into the room, plates in hand, and felt another grin tug at my cheeks. She has rolled over now, her open eyes gazing up at me. It was like my whole world stopped once again, and I stood in front of an angel sent to be by my side through eternity.
"Morning." Her voice was full of sleep. She sat up and ushered me over, taking her full plate greedily. I sat down in front of her and dove into my own, holding back a moan of pleasure as the taste entered my mouth.
"Feeling better?" I asked as I sat my empty plate on her bedside table, rubbing my face with the back of my sleeve. She nodded and handed me the half empty plate, laying back down and covering herself with the comforter. "Want me to put Cry-Baby on again?"
"Uh huh." I flicked off the lamp light and closed the blinds, letting the black curtains fall as the room was covered in darkness. With a click to the remote the musical has started again, and I pulled off my shirt and snuggled under the blanket, kissing her soft cheek before singing along with the movie.
Leah's POV.
Breakfast was over, I had just finished lunch, and I was not out and ordering some movies from the local video rental store. Bailey and Seth had walked back down to her house to pack up a bag so she could sleep over again, and I would be picking them up after I was done. I sighed in frustration as I looked over the titles, my eyes not catching the one I needed.
"Damnit, where is it? Shit, Seth is going to be pissed if I don't find it." Cry-Wolf has been his favorite movie since he had seen it in theaters last year, and he wanted Bailey to experience the magic of it. "Ugh, it has to be here." After a few more seconds I sighed in frustration and walked to the cash register, hands clenched around the movies in my hand. The woman gave me a bright smile, flickering her blonde ponytail over her shoulder.
"Are you ready to check out?"
"Not yet, could you help me find a movie? I called this morning to check if it was in and they said they would hold it for me, but it isn't here." Her name tag reads 'Savannah'. She stepped out the door and follows me back to the shelf, calculating eyes surveying the shelf. I waited impatiently for a few more seconds until she handed me the disc, giving me another smile.
"Here you go. Ready to check out now?" I nodded and followed her back to the register, handing her the five movies that I had picked out. Her eyes roamed over the covers diligently. "The Chronicles of Narnia? Never picked you for a fantasy girl." I gave her a shrug.
"I read the books, so I decided to give it a go. Hopefully it doesn't suck." She handed me back the bag and gave me my receipt.
"Thank you for renting with is today. Have a pleasant evening!" I nodded a thanks and headed out the door, jumping into my jeep and starting the engine. Now off to Dollar General to buy some cheap snacks.
Breanna's POV.
I didn't understand how I got here. My clothes were soaked and my hands and feet ached from running. Tears streamed down my face, mixing in with the rain drops. Where was I going? Why was I running? All I could remember was some girls making nasty remarks at me, and my brain shutting down. One minute I was shopping for school supplies with my dad, and the next I was running to god knows where in nothing but a thin jacket and slip on's. The light from a house peaked ahead, and I ran faster, sobs racking my body before I slammed into the door at full speed. My body crumpled onto the porch, and I wrapped myself into a tight ball. The door opened a few minutes later, and my vision disappeared.
I awoke to a warm wash cloth being dabbed against my head. Leah and Seth's matching eyes stared down at me with concern, their darkness enveloping me. Taking a deep breath, I started having a coughing fit.
"Don't do that. You got yourself sick running in the rain." Warm hands covered my forehead and rubbed my temples, causing me to sigh with content. "I made you some soup. You can eat it while you tell me what happened." What, really? I can't tell anyone what happened. It was beyond embarrassing. With help from Seth I sat up and took the steaming bowl of chicken and noodle soup into my shaking hands, setting it on my lap as I started spooning some into my mouth. The heated liquid fell down my throat and warmed my entire body.
"So, what happened?" The question fell on deaf ears as I stared blankly ahead of me, avoiding her words. A rush of anxiety flooded my system, causing me to squirm.
"I can't eat yet. I feel nauseous." I lifted the bowl back into her hands and clasped my palms tightly together, clenching my teeth tightly. The couch moved and feet shuffled, a door closing sounding in my ear. Leah clicked off the TV.
"Seth and Bailey left. Come on, Bre. You can talk to me."
"No, I can't."
"Why can't you?"
"You wouldn't understand." My breath came out roughly, and my fingers clenched together tightly. "Every day I have to go around and listen to people talk about me. How bad they feel for me, or how bad I look. I know I'm not pretty, and I know I'm not smart." Without warning tears started to roll down my cheeks, dripping into my lap. "I know I'm becoming a burden to everyone." I could see her face, even in the dark, become hard. Creases covered her brow, and her eyes were steel.
"You aren't a burden. Don't you dare say that."
"I've uprooted everyone's life by coming here. My dad's in a wheelchair right now because of me. If I hadn't called him, you all wouldn't be in this mess." Her comforting hand rose up to cup my cheek, bring my eyes to face hers. I felt so vulnerable as we sat there, her strong arms keeping me afloat.
"It may be a mess, but it isn't your fault. You think you could have survived there until you turned eighteen? Being abused over and over again until you were nothing but a vegetable? No, you would have died." She let her hand drop and flop back to her side. "If you're ever going to get better you'll need to stop blaming yourself for things you can't control. I had to."
"What happened to you?" Before I could stop it the words rushed out of me, and I knew I had made a mistake. Leah stiffened and shifted uncomfortably. Crap, crap. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you that. You barely know me."
"It's okay." She was silent for a while, clicking the TV back on. "It's okay."