Petrichor ~ P.L.

Chapter Seventeen

"Paul?" I spoke, confusion very evident in my tone.  

He stared down at me in shock, lips parted and warm brown eyes wide.  The packet of salt and vinegar goldfish he previously held in his hands dropped to the floor. 

"Paul?" I furrowed my brow, waving my hand in front of his face. 

"Hey, Paul! Did you find the- oh shit." I turned my head to look at Jared, a basket in his hands. 

He gulped nervously, "Uh, hey Adair." 

"Um. Hi." I awkwardly waved back, a stunned Paul still behind me.  

Suddenly, Paul bolted for the door, leaving behind me, Jared, and the fishy crackers. 

Jared stared after him, "I gotta, yeah uh, good to- anyways I gotta go."  He ran out the door, following Paul, shopping basket still in hand. 

I stared after the duo. 

What the fuck. 

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

I sat cross-legged in my bed, mindlessly staring at the wall, eating my Oreos.  I slowly lifted the delicious cookie to my mouth, too lost in thought to really focus on the task.

What the hell had just happened?  Why did a life with Paul flash before my eyes?  I didn't die, so that's not the reason.  Maybe I was just hallucinating from all the noises and stuff.  

Why did Paul bolt away like that?  I get that he didn't want to see me, but come on man, seriously?  He looked like I just told him I killed his cat.  Plus, Jared was so concerned, he ended up shoplifting! 

But most of all, why did I have such an intense feeling to go see him?  I knew it wasn't a good idea, hell, it's an awful idea, but my heart almost physically hurt from being away from him.  If I closed my eyes I could picture his warm ones and his woodsy smell that I wish I could make into a candle.  

Was this something to do with the wolf thing?  I couldn't think of any reason for it.  Maybe I just have, like, a really really intense crush on him. 

But in my heart, I knew that wasn't it.  I knew it was something way bigger than that, but I had no idea what. 

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

"Hahahaha! Oh my god!  What the hell-" Jared was keeled over laughing, tears in his eyes, "You imprinted on Adair!" 

Paul continued walking past Jareds howling figure towards Emily's house, "It's not funny Jared!" Paul ran a tan hand through his hair, "I just...don't understand."

Jared jogged up back beside Paul, wiping the tears from his eyes, "Don't try and strain your little brain thinking about it too hard," Paul shot a glare to Jared, "Just be happy you got your dream girl, and we'll ask Sam and the elders about it." 

Paul nodded, eyes hard, but shoulders partially slumped.  His emotions kept ping-ponging back and forth, it was exhausting.  There wasn't any time to be thrilled that the girl he cared so deeply for, turned out to actually be his soulmate.  

Would she even want him?  He had kind of put her through hell.  The thought alone sent pain through his chest, not being able to fathom a future without her.  But, he would be whatever she needed him to be, even if that meant she wanted nothing at all.  No matter how much agony it would put him in.   

Paul and Jared walked through the door, Paul slumping down into a chair at the kitchen table, and Jared immediately going up to Kim, greeting his imprint with loving, playful, kisses.