Petrichor ~ P.L.

Chapter Eight

"Addy?  Aaaaddy?" I could feel Embry poking my side as I sat on the porch step about a week later. 

I sighed and looked away from my book, "Yes Em?" 

He sheepishly smiled and sat down next to me, "what are you reading?" 

I shut the book and showed him the cover, "Um, one of my favourite comfort books.  Percy Jackson...it's kind of a kid's book but...I don't really give a fuck." 

His eyes lit up and he sat up straighter, "No way!  That's like, my favourite series!" 

I looked at him in surprise, "Seriously?" 

He nodded quickly, "Yeah, the movies sucked major ass." 

I scoffed, "Hell yeah they did." 

He smiled again at me before shifting uncomfortably, "So um, comfort book?" 

I looked down towards the dirt at the bottom of the steps, "Yeah, I uh...just needed some I guess." 

He frowned and was silent for a moment, seemingly pondering his next words, "There's more to the story you know." 

I frowned and knocked a pebbled off the step, "I'm sure there is." 

"No I mean," I ran a hand through his hair, "he has no excuse for what he did but...I mean...ugh! I   can't really explain it just...he's not as much of an asshole as he's making himself out to be...at least to you." 

I know his words were supposed to be comforting, but I couldn't help but feel a slight stab in my heart. Why then?  Why did he throw everything we had away if he didn't even mean it. The whole situation made my head spin. 

"Yeah well," I looked up to meet Embry's nervous eyes, "I'll believe it when I see it." 

He nodded in defeat and accepted that he wasn't going to get me to forgive him.  

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"So." Jacob spoke to me during breakfast from across the table.  

"So?" I questioned him as I put a piece of pancake in my mouth. 

"Emily really wants you to join us at the beach today." He chomped down on two pieces of bacon at once. 

"Us?" I raised my eyebrow, already knowing who he means. 

He sighed, "Yeah...us," I stared at him blankly, "You can't avoid him forever." 

"Um yes, I can.  You doubt my avoidance skills." 

He rolled his eyes, "Just...please?  You don't even have to look at him.  Emily and Kim really like you and want to get to know you.  Plus, Seth misses you." 

My heart twinged at the thought of Seth.  I did miss him. 

I sighed in defeat, "Fine." 

He shot up from his chair, "Yes! Hell yeah! Okay okay, we leave in an hour." 

I laughed at how excited he is before standing up and beginning to wash all the dishes. 

I was so going to regret this. 

---------------------------------------------------- 

I picked at my fingernails nervously as Jake and I parked in the beach parking lot.  To be honest, I was already planning on going to the beach because of the rare nice weather.  I was not however planning on hanging out with Jacobs's band of friends.  I love all of them, I really do, but hanging with them means hanging with Paul.